Cervical shedding of cytomegalovirus in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected women

Cervical shedding of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is important in transmission of CMV to exposed sexual partners and neonates. We evaluated prevalence and co rrelates of CMV DNA shedding in cervical secretions from a large cohort of HIV-1-seropositive women. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, CMV DNA was detected in 183 (59%) cervical swab samples from 311 women. Cervic al shedding of CMV DNA was significantly associated with shedding of HIV-1 DNA (odds ratio 1.8; 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.8). CMV shedding was als o more frequent in women with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginal is infections, but these associations were not statistically significant. C ervical shedding of CMV in HIV-1-infected women is very frequent and may re flect higher risk of transmission to sexual partners and neonates than prev iously appreciated. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.