Molecular surveillance of Cytomegalovirus strains in maternal and fetal health within Bauchi metropolis Nigeria

Abstract

RESEARCH PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to detect Cytomegalovirus (CMV) virulence genes and identify their strains among a cohort of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics within Bauchi metropolis, Nigeria. The absence of CMV control measures in antenatal care in the study area and many communities around the globe, as well as the unavailability of vaccines, pose a significant threat to maternal and fetal health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and retrospective among a cohort of pregnant women receiving antenatal care in primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities within Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria. Plasma samples from 118 women who were positive for CMV IgM from ELISA were used for molecular analysis via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The DNA of each sample was extracted via the Qiagen Extraction Protocol (DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit, Quick Start protocol, 2016) and used for amplification of 6 target genes, namely, UL 55, UL73, UL74, UL75, UL100, and UL115 respectively. RESULTS: Three genes, UL55, which codes for gB(27); UL115, which codes for gL(15); and UL73, which codes for gN(10), were detected among 52 women. The gB strain had the highest occurrence among the women, whereas the gN strain had the lowest. CONCLUSION: The CMV gB, gL, and gN strains are endemic to the Bauchi metropolis. The gB strain with the highest occurrence rate was likely more infectious than the other strains were, whereas the gL strain confirmed previous reports linking it with a common strain during pregnancy. Therefore, the gB and gL strains are likely threats to maternal and fetal health.