Prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a CMV-endemic Ugandan population

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is highly prevalent (3.73%) in rural Uganda, is associated with lower gravidity and placental malaria, and exhibits high transmission intensity in early childhood. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Amy K F Davis; Mary Prahl; Mikias Ilala; Justine Levan; Pamela M. Odorizzi; Mary Muhindo; Abel Kakuru; Stephanie L. Gaw; Moses R. Kamya; Grant Dorsey; Margaret E. Feeney

doi:10.1093/ofid/ofag566

September 4, 2026Open Forum Infectious DiseasesOpen Access

Prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a CMV-endemic Ugandan population

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Key Points

To evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and early childhood transmission dynamics of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a CMV-endemic, low-income setting.
Assessed congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) prevalence and clinical associations, including gravidity and placental malaria, in a rural Ugandan population where maternal CMV seroprevalence is high.
Tracked post-birth transmission intensity by monitoring the acquisition of CMV IgG seropositivity in children up to age 3.
Congenital CMV infection was identified in 3.73% of infants in the study population.
cCMV infection was significantly associated with lower maternal gravidity and the presence of placental malaria.
Transmission intensity during early childhood was high, with 97.3% of children acquiring CMV IgG by 3 years of age.

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Implication

Observational study reveals high congenital cytomegalovirus prevalence linked to placental malaria in infants, highlighting substantial early-life infection burdens in endemic settings.

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a leading cause of childhood deafness and disability worldwide. However, less is known about its epidemiology in low-income regions where most women are CMV-seropositive at conception. We found that cCMV is highly prevalent in rural Uganda (3.73%) and is associated with lower gravidity and placental malaria. We additionally report a high transmission intensity in the first years of life with 97.3% of children acquiring CMV IgG by age 3.

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Cite This Study

Davis et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9d1e7228139818eab2156b https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofag566

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Prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a CMV-endemic Ugandan population

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a CMV-endemic Ugandan population

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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