Cytomegalovirus infection and blood transfusion.

The incidence of cytomegalovirus antibody positivity has been determined in populations of blood donors in centres in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. No difference in incidence was found. Rates of antibody detection increased from approximately 30% in younger donors to approximately 65% in donors between the ages of 56 and 65 years. No sex difference in incidence was observed. The implications for policies governing the supply of cytomegalovirus antibody-free blood for transfusion are discussed.