Cytomegalovirus, molecular and phylogenetic study in woman in Wasit Province- Iraq

Abstract

      Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can cause a wide range of clinical manifestations, depending on the health status of the individual and the specific context of infection and can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus. Congenital CMV infection can lead to a range of birth defects, including hearing loss, vision impairment, developmental delays, and intellectual disabilities. One hundreds blood sample from women who have CMV infection and a 50-blood sample from non-infected women as a control were collected from gynecologists' clinics in Al-Kut city of Wasit province. All the samples were serologically tested, positive samples were molecularly tested by nested PCR and ten samples of them were selected for sequencing. Ninety individuals (90%) tested positive for anti-CMV IgG, while ten individuals (10%) exhibited detectable levels of anti-CMV IgM while the control samples give negative results with both antibodies. The molecular test performed by nested PCR 31 yielded positive results. A high prevalence of CMV antibodies among female participants, suggesting a potential link between CMV infection and female abortion. Molecular assays, known for their speed and utility, hold particular value for diagnosing HCMV. Specifically nested PCR emerged as a valuable tool for detecting CMV infection. The existence of polymorphic CMV strains may indicate the widespread occurrence of CMV infection in women.