ABSTRACT

Aim:

To assess the association between the results of CMV IgM and CMV IgG avidity tests in pregnant women.

Materials and Methods:

CMV IgM (MEIA and ELISA), CMV IgG (MEIA) and CMV IgG avidity tests were performed in 68 pregnant wo-men, and CMV PCR was studied in 2 of them.

Results:

CMV IgM gave suspicious negativity, suspicious positivity and positivity in 47 women with MEIA and in 24 women with ELISA. CMV IgG avidity results were in the gray zone (25%-35%) in 6 women and showed low avidity in 6. In both groups, CMV IgM positivity was 33.3% with both MEIA and ELISA; however, the rates of negativity, suspicious negativity and suspicious positivity varied. In the first group, the rates were 0%, 33.3%, and 33.3% with MEIA, and 50%, 16.7%, and 0% with ELISA, respectively. In the second group, the rates were 16.7%, 33.3%, and 16.7% with MEIA, and 66.7%, 0%, and 0% with ELISA. CMV PCR was performed in 2 women with low CMV IgG avidity and both were positive.

Discussion:

The results of CMV IgM ELISA and CMV IgM MEIA, whi-ch work by opposite systems, may be conflicting. In order not to miss any CMV infection in pregnant women, CMV IgM should be studied with both methods and whenever suspicious negativity, suspicious positivity or positivity are found as well as positivity of CMV IgG, the CMV IgG avidity test should be performed. A low avidity index indicates primary infection. PCR may be used to confirm the presence of the virus.