Prevalence of cytomegalovirus infection in a normal urban population in Nova Scotia.

During 1967 and 1968 a seroepidemiological survey was conducted on the prevalence of CF antibodies to CMV in the normal population of the Halifax-Dartmouth metropolitan area of Nova Scotia. Samples of 550 sera, collected from all age groups, including newborns, were processed. At birth, 34% of infants possess antibodies, presumably of maternal origin, and there follows a decline until at 2 years of age only 4% of children exhibit evidence of infection. There is a gradual increase up to 16% by 20 years of age, and thereafter this is maintained until by 40+ years half the population possesses antibodies.A more detailed analysis of cord sera indicated that approximately 60% of women of childbearing age possess no antibodies and are susceptible to primary CMV infection. Among these, age and gravidity are not significant factors.These data indicate that CMV infection is fairly widespread in this community, although comparative studies suggest that it is less so than in some other areas, such as Easter Island, where a more homogeneous pattern of overcrowding and poor sacioeconomic conditions prevails.