A Sex Difference in the Prevalence of Antibodies to Cytomegalovirus

Complement fixation antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined for 195 nonwhite persons residing in a circumscribed community in Dallas. Complement fixation antibody titers ≥ 1:8 were encountered in 45.1% of the sample. There was a progressive increase in CMV antibody prevalence with age. In each age group studied and particularly during the child-bearing years (15 to 44), the prevalence of CMV antibody was greater in women. Overall, CMV antibody rates for women (55.0%) differed significantly from those found for men (32.6%) (P