Seroprevalence of Cytomegalo Virus Infection among HIV Patients Accessing Healthcare in Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nigeria

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) a herpes virus known for latency after primary infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. It is reported to enhance HIV replication and acceleration of HIV infection to AIDS.

Aim: There is a dearth of published information on the prevalence of CMV infection among HIV/AIDS patients in this area. This cross sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for the viral infection among HIV/AIDS patients in Keffi.

Methods: Blood samples from 208 HIV patients were screened for CMV using specific CMV IgG Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (Cortez diagnostic Inc, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Results: The overall mprevalence of CMV IgG antibody was 77.0%. The prevalence of viral infection based on sex was found to be 82.6% among the males and 75.3% in females (P >.05). Seroprevalence was found to be highest among those aged 10–20 years (90.9%) and least among those aged 41-50 years (68.8%) (P >.05). There was a statistically significant association between the viral infection and CD4 cells count (P < .05). HIV patients with CD4 of < 100 cells/ml reported the highest prevalence (100%). There was a decrease in prevalence with an increase in CD4 cell counts.

Conclusion: This study reported 77.0% CMV infection among HIV patients with low CD4 counts as a risk factor. Marital status, occupation, level of education, residence and antiretroviral therapy status had no statistically significant association with CMV infection (P >.05). The threat of CMV reactivation and consequent sequelae among those seropositive to IgG must not be overlooked in the study population. HIV patients should therefore be monitored closely for clinical signs of CMV syndrome.