Cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised children in Thailand

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) constitutes the most widespread cause of congenital a nd perinatal viral infections on a global scale, exceeding a 90%-prevalence among blood donors in Thailand. The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of CMV in the sera of 113 immunocompromised children by mea ns of serology, as well as polymerase chain reaction using nested primers. Our results showed anti-CMV IgG, ie, latent infection, prevalent in an age- dependent manner irrespective of the disorder underlying the children's imm unocompromised condition, whereas anti-CMV IgM was equally prevalent throug hout all age groups and disease patterns and, therefore, unreliable as a ma rker. Detection of serum CMV DNA by PCR represented the most exact diagnost ic parameter by far, indicating active infection long before clinical sympt oms may appear. In conclusion, based on the high prevalence of latent CMV i nfection among the general population in Thailand, we recommend especially the sera of immunocompromised patients be examined for the presence of vira l DNA by means of PCR in order to provide clinical guidelines for their pro per management.