Epidemiology of Cytomegalovirus among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Sari, Iran 2017-2018

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most important pathogens in immunocompromised patients, those who need regular blood transfusion, and renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. The aim of this investigation was to study the epidemiology of cytomegalovirus in hemodialysis patients in Sari, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was performed in 180 hemodialysis patients attending two referral centers in Sari, 2017-2018. To include the patients we considered sociodemographic characteristics, blood transfusion history and period, and duration and frequency/week of hemodialysis. Blood samples were collected from all patients and after centrifuge, serum samples were examined for CMV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical tests including Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis, and descriptive analysis including proportion for qualitative data and median (quartile range 25-75) for quantitative data were used.

The participants were 180 patients, including 93 (51.7%) females and 87 (48.3%) males (mean age: 61.5±14.4). All patients (100%) were positive for anti-CMV IgG antibody. There were no significant relationships between antibody titer and sex, age, dialysis period, dialysis duration, dialysis frequency per week, transfusion, transplantation, or HBV and HCV status (P >0.05).

Our findings showed high frequency of CMV-IgG positive in hemodialysis patients. Due to the possibility of CMV infection progression in immunocompromised patients, especially those who undergo hemodialysis, screening programs should be performed to prevent adverse consequences.