Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Blood Donors

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) obtained through blood products has proven to be a significant pathogen in newborn infants and immunocompromised hosts. Serum samples from 250 blood donors were evaluated by five commercial tests for the presence of CMV antibodies. Fifty percent of the 250 donors were positive by three or more of the tests and therefore were considered to be true positives. Solid-phase fluorescence immunoassay (SFI), indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA), immunofluorescent antibody (IFA), passive latex agglutination (LA), and enzyme immunoassay (ElA) were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, and ease of use. SFI, ELISA, and LA tests had high sensitivity and specificity ratings. IHA and IF A had high sensitivity ratings but poor specificity rates. IHA and LA had the best functional ratings, followed in order by SFI, ELISA, and I FA. Our findings suggest that LA is the best choice among these tests for an accurate, reliable, and simple screening test for CMV antibodies.