If the test result for cytomegalovirus IgG positive, many people are starting to worry. They believe that this indicates a hidden serious illness which needs to be treated immediately. However, the presence of IgG antibodies in the blood is not a sign developing pathology. The vast majority of people become infected with cytomegalovirus childhood and they don't even notice it. Therefore, a positive test result for antibodies (AT) to cytomegalovirus is a surprise for them.
What is cytomegalovirus infection?
The causative agent is herpes virus type 5 - cytomegalovirus (CMV). The name "herpes" is derived from the Latin word "herpes", which means "creeping". It reflects the nature of diseases caused by herpes viruses. CMV, like their other representatives, are weak antigens (the so-called microorganisms that bear the imprint of foreign genetic information).
Recognition and neutralization of antigens is the main function of the immune system. Weak are those that do not cause a pronounced immune response. Therefore, the primary often occurs unnoticed. The symptoms of the disease are mild and resemble the symptoms of a common cold.
Transmission and spread of infection:
- In childhood, the infection is transmitted by airborne droplets.
- Adults become infected mainly through sexual contact.
- After the initial invasion, herpes viruses settle permanently in the body. It is impossible to get rid of them.
- The infected person becomes a carrier of cytomegalovirus.
If a person’s immunity is strong, CMV hides and does not manifest itself in any way. If the body's defenses are weakened, microorganisms are activated. They can cause development serious illnesses. In immunodeficiency states they are affected various organs and human systems. CMV causes pneumonia, enterocolitis, encephalitis and inflammatory processes V various departments reproductive system. With multiple lesions, death can occur.
Cytomegalovirus is especially dangerous for a developing fetus. If a woman is first infected during pregnancy, the pathogen is likely to cause serious developmental defects in her baby. If infection occurs in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, the virus often causes fetal death.
A recurrence of cytomegalovirus infection poses a significantly less threat to the embryo. In this case, the risk of developmental defects in the child does not exceed 1–4%. Antibodies present in a woman’s blood weaken pathogens and prevent them from attacking fetal tissue.
Determine the activity of cytomegalovirus infection only by external manifestations very hard. Therefore the presence pathological process in the body are detected using laboratory tests.
How the body reacts to the activation of viruses
In response to the invasion of viruses, they form in the body. They have the ability to combine with antigens according to the “key to lock” principle, linking them into an immune complex (antigen-antibody reaction). In this form, viruses become vulnerable to cells of the immune system, which cause their death.
At different stages of CMV activity, different antibodies are formed. They belong to different classes. Immediately after the penetration or activation of “dormant” pathogens, class M antibodies begin to appear. They are designated IgM, where Ig is an immunoglobulin. IgM antibodies are an indicator humoral immunity, protecting the intercellular space. They allow you to capture and remove viruses from the bloodstream.
IgM concentration is highest at the beginning of acute infectious process. If the activity of the viruses has been successfully suppressed, the IgM antibodies disappear. Cytomegalovirus IgM found in the blood for 5–6 weeks after infection. In the chronic form of the pathology, the amount IgM antibodies decreases, but does not completely disappear. Small concentrations of immunoglobulins may be detected in the blood long time until the process subsides.
After class M immunoglobulins, IgG antibodies are formed in the body. They help destroy pathogens. When the infection is completely defeated, immunoglobulins G remain in the bloodstream to prevent re-infection. In case of secondary infection IgG antibodies quickly destroy pathogenic microorganisms, preventing the development of a pathological process.
In response to the invasion of a viral infection, class A immunoglobulins are also formed. They are found in various biological fluids (saliva, urine, bile, lacrimal, bronchial and gastrointestinal secretions) and protect the mucous membranes. IgA antibodies have a pronounced anti-adsorption effect. They prevent viruses from attaching to the surface of cells. IgA antibodies disappear from the bloodstream 2–8 weeks after the destruction of infectious agents.
The concentration of immunoglobulins of different classes allows us to determine the presence active process and assess its stage. To study the amount of antibodies is used linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).
Linked immunosorbent assay
The ELISA method is based on searching for the formed immune complex. The antigen-antibody reaction is detected using a special tag enzyme. After combining the antigen with the enzyme-labeled immune serum, a special substrate is added to the mixture. It is broken down by an enzyme and causes a color change in the reaction product. The intensity of the color is used to judge the number of bound antigen and antibody molecules. Features of ELISA diagnostics:
- The results are assessed automatically using special equipment.
- This minimizes the influence of the human factor and ensures error-free diagnosis.
- ELISA is characterized high sensitivity. It allows detection of antibodies even if their concentration in the sample is extremely low.
ELISA allows you to diagnose the disease already in the first days of development. It makes it possible to detect infection before the first symptoms appear.
How to decipher ELISA results
Presence of AT in the blood CMV IgM indicates the activity of cytomegalovirus infection. If the amount of IgG antibodies is insignificant (negative result), primary infection has occurred. Norm cmv IgG is 0.5 IU/ml. If fewer immunoglobulins are detected, the result is considered negative.
In cases where, simultaneously with a high concentration of IgM antibodies, a significant amount of IgG is detected, an exacerbation of the disease is observed, and the process actively develops. These results indicate that the primary infection occurred a long time ago.
If IgG appears positive in the absence of IgM and IgA antibodies, there is no need to worry. The infection happened a long time ago, and a stable immunity to cytomegalovirus has developed. That's why reinfection will not cause serious pathology.
When the analysis indicates negative indicators all antibodies, the body is not familiar with cytomegalovirus and has not developed protection against it. In this case, a pregnant woman needs to be especially careful. The infection is very dangerous for her fetus. According to statistics, primary infection occurs in 0.7–4% of all pregnant women. Important points:
- the simultaneous presence of two types of antibodies (IgM and IgA) is a sign of the height of acute stage;
- the absence or presence of IgG helps distinguish primary infection from relapse.
If IgA antibodies are detected and class M immunoglobulins are absent, the process goes into chronic form. It may be accompanied by symptoms or occur hidden.
For a more accurate assessment of the dynamics of the pathological process, ELISA tests are performed 2 or more times every 1–2 weeks. If the amount of class M immunoglobulins decreases, the body successfully suppresses viral infection. If the concentration of antibodies increases, the disease progresses.
It is also defined. Many people don't understand what this means. Avidity characterizes the strength of the binding of antibodies to antigens. The higher its percentage, the stronger the connection. At the initial stage of infection, weak bonds are formed. As the immune response develops, they become stronger. The high avidity of IgG antibodies allows one to completely exclude primary infection.
Features of evaluating ELISA results
When assessing test results, you need to pay attention to their quantitative significance. It is expressed in assessments: negative, weakly positive, positive or strongly positive.
AT detection CMV class M and G can be interpreted as a sign of recent primary infection (no more than 3 months ago). Their low indicators will indicate the attenuation of the process. However, some strains of CMV are capable of causing a specific immune response, in which class M immunoglobulins can circulate in the blood for up to 1–2 years or longer.
An increase in the titer (number) of IgG to cytomegalovirus several times indicates a relapse. Therefore, before pregnancy, it is necessary to do a blood test to determine the level of immunoglobulins G in the latent (dormant) state of the infectious process. This indicator is important, since when the process is reactivated, in approximately 10% of cases IgM antibodies are not released. The absence of class M immunoglobulins is due to the formation of a secondary immune response, characterized by overproduction of specific IgG antibodies.
If the number of immunoglobulins G has increased before conception, there is a high probability of exacerbation of cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy. In this case, you need to consult an infectious disease doctor to reduce the risk of relapse.
According to statistics, recurrent infection (reactivation) occurs in 13% of pregnant women. Sometimes secondary infection with other strains of CMV is observed.
If IgG is positive in a newborn, it follows that the baby was infected during intrauterine development, during childbirth or immediately after birth. The presence of IgG antibodies can be passed on to the child from the mother. The greatest risk to the health and life of the baby is intrauterine infection.
About active stage cytomegalovirus infection will be indicated by a several-fold increase in IgG titer in the results of 2 tests done at an interval of a month. If you start treating the disease during the first 3-4 months of a child’s life, the likelihood of developing serious pathologies will be significantly reduced.
Other methods for detecting CMV
In sick people with immunodeficiency, antibodies are not always detected. The absence of immunoglobulins is due to the weakness of the immune system, which is unable to form antibodies. Newborns, especially premature babies, are at risk.
For people with immunodeficiency conditions, cytomegalovirus infection is especially dangerous. To detect it in them, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is used. It is based on the properties of special enzymes that detect the DNA of pathogens and repeatedly copy its fragments. Due to a significant increase in the concentration of DNA fragments, visual detection becomes possible. The method allows you to detect cytomegalovirus, even if only a few molecules of this infection are present in the collected material.
To determine the degree of activity of the pathological process, a quantitative PCR reaction is performed.
Cytomegalovirus can remain in an inactive state for different organs(in the cervix, on the mucous membrane of the throat, in the kidneys, salivary glands). If the analysis of a smear or scraping using PCR method will show a positive result, it will not indicate the presence of an active process.
If it is detected in the blood, this means that the process is active or has recently stopped.
To put accurate diagnosis, use 2 methods simultaneously: ELISA and PCR.
It may also be prescribed cytological examination sediments of saliva and urine. Collected material studied under a microscope to identify cells characteristic of cytomegalovirus infection.
During infection by the virus, they increase many times over. This reaction to infection gave another name to cytomegalovirus infection - cytomegaly. The altered cells look like an owl's eye. The enlarged core contains a round or oval inclusion with a strip-shaped light zone.
Warning signs
In order to detect cytomegalovirus infection in time, you need to pay attention to the presence of its characteristic symptoms.
The acute form of cytomegalovirus infection is accompanied by pain and sore throat in children and adults. The lymph nodes in the neck area increase. A sick person becomes lethargic and drowsy, and loses ability to work. He develops a headache and cough. Body temperature may rise and the liver and spleen may enlarge. Sometimes a rash appears on the skin in the form of small red spots.
Infants with a congenital form of cytomegaly have an enlarged liver and spleen. Hydrocephalus may be detected hemolytic anemia or pneumonia. If cytomegalovirus hepatitis develops, the child develops jaundice. His urine becomes dark and his stool becomes discolored. Sometimes the only sign of cytomegalovirus infection in a newborn is petechiae. They are round dotted spots of a rich red-purple color. Their size ranges from a dot to a pea. Petechiae cannot be felt because they do not protrude above the surface of the skin.
Disorders of the acts of swallowing and sucking appear. They are born with low body weight. Strabismus and muscle hypotonia are often found, alternating increased tone muscles.
If such signs are observed against the background positive result IgG antibody test, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Services treatment room are paid additionally. Cost - 60 rub.
Material for research: Blood serum
Research method: Linked immunosorbent assay
Preparation: Blood from a vein can be donated after a 4-hour fasting period. The day before and on the day of blood donation, intensive physical activity, drinking alcohol, smoking. You can drink water.
Description:High quality and quantitation antibodiesIgMAndIgGto cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus infection – infection caused by herpes virus type 5 (cytomegalovirus). It is part of the group of infections of the TORCH complex, including rubella, toxoplasmosis, as well as pathology caused by herpes virus types 1 and 2. Infections included in the TORCH complex pose a serious threat to the health of the child, fetus, and patients with immunodeficiency. The virus is transmitted from a patient through close contact with biological fluids, sexual contact, transplacental from mother to fetus, during childbirth, breastfeeding. CMV is capable of infecting and damaging cells of various tissues and organs.
In persons with healthy immune system the disease is usually asymptomatic. The main manifestations include low-grade fever, headache, myalgia, pharyngitis. Symptoms of congenital infection are characterized by jaundice, pneumonia, enlarged liver and kidneys. There is hearing loss, vision pathology, mental retardation, severe violations CNS leading to microcephaly. To date serological diagnostics is the main tool for verifying and determining the stage of infection, including the determination of specific IgM and IgG antibodies, as well as the calculation of the avidity index for positive results of two classes of immunoglobulins.
IgM antibodies are the main indicator of both the acute stage of infection and reinfection/reactivation. It is important to consider that this class of antibodies can circulate in the body for more than a year. In some cases, in uninfected subjects it is possible to detect false positive results IgM. Thus, the study of IgM antibodies should be carried out exclusively in combination with other serological methods.
Antibodies of class G appear after IgM and remain in the body for a long time. They are detected during the acute, chronic and latent stages of infection. The detection of antibodies together with IgM, as well as a 4-fold increase in IgG concentration with an interval of 2 weeks, may indicate an acute stage of CMV infection. In these cases, to clarify the stage of the infectious process, it is necessary to determine the antibody avidity index. The use of “direct” methods for detecting the virus, such as PCR, is also recommended.
Indications for the study:
examination of women planning pregnancy
pregnant women who do not have antibodies to CMV (every 3 months)
pregnant women with signs of current infection
immunodeficiency
patients with suspected acute CMV infection (picture infectious mononucleosis, prolonged low-grade fever, enlarged liver and spleen, pneumonia of unknown origin)
questionable result of the previous examination
Interpretation:
Reference values:
|
ResultIgM |
Interpretation |
|
|
Positivity index >1.0 |
"positively" |
Presence of antibodies |
|
Positivity index 0.8 – 1.0 |
"doubtful" |
Zone of uncertainty |
|
Positivity Index<0,8 |
"negative" |
Absence of antibodies |
|
ResultIgG |
Interpretation |
|
|
>0.25 IU/ml |
"positively" |
Presence of antibodies, quantity |
|
0.2 – 0.25 IU/ml |
"doubtful" |
Zone of uncertainty |
|
<0,2 МЕ/мл |
"negative" |
Absence of antibodies |
IgG(-)IgM(-) - repeated testing is required during pregnancy (once every 3 months).
IgG(+)IgM(-) - immunity after past infection, no further testing required. If an active infection is suspected, re-send the sample after 10-14 days to monitor the IgG titer.
IgG(-)IgM(+) - retesting after 3 weeks to exclude a false positive result or the onset of an active infection.
IgG(+)IgM(+) - an acute stage of infection is possible, an avidity test is performed.
Doubtful - the result does not allow a conclusion to be made about the presence or absence of antibodies; it is recommended to re-take the test after 14 days.
Antibodies of the IgM class to cytomegalovirus are specific immunoglobulins produced in the human body during the acute period of cytomegalovirus infection and are an early serological marker of this disease.
Synonyms Russian
Antibodies of the IgM class to cytomegalovirus (CMV).
English synonyms
Anti-CMV-IgM, CMV Antibody, IgM.
Research method
Electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA).
What biomaterial can be used for research?
Venous, capillary blood.
How to properly prepare for research?
Do not smoke for 30 minutes before the test.
General information about the study
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the herpes virus family. Just like other representatives of this group, it can persist in a person throughout his life. In healthy people with normal immunity, the primary infection occurs without complications (and is often asymptomatic). However, cytomegalovirus is dangerous during pregnancy (for the child) and during immunodeficiency.
Cytomegalovirus can be infected through various biological fluids: saliva, urine, semen, blood. In addition, it is transmitted from mother to child (during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding).
As a rule, cytomegalovirus infection is asymptomatic. Sometimes the disease resembles infectious mononucleosis: the temperature rises, the throat hurts, and the lymph nodes become enlarged. The virus then remains inside the cells in an inactive state. But if the body is weakened, the virus will begin to multiply again.
It is important for a woman to know whether she has been infected with CMV in the past because this is what determines whether she is at risk for pregnancy complications. If she has already been infected before, then the risk is minimal. During pregnancy, an exacerbation of an old infection may occur, but this form usually does not cause serious consequences.
If a woman has not yet had CMV, then she is at risk and should pay special attention to the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection. It is the infection that the mother contracted for the first time during pregnancy that is dangerous for the child.
During a primary infection in a pregnant woman, the virus often enters the child’s body. This does not mean that he will get sick. As a rule, CMV infection is asymptomatic. However, in approximately 10% of cases it leads to congenital pathologies: microcephaly, cerebral calcification, rash and enlargement of the spleen and liver. This is often accompanied by a decrease in intelligence and deafness, and even death is possible.
Thus, it is important for the expectant mother to know whether she has been infected with CMV in the past. If so, then the risk of complications due to possible CMV becomes negligible. If not, you need to take special care during pregnancy:
- avoid unprotected sex,
- do not come into contact with another person’s saliva (do not kiss, do not share dishes, toothbrushes, etc.),
- observe the rules of hygiene when playing with children (wash your hands if saliva or urine gets on them),
- get tested for CMV if there are signs of general malaise.
In addition, cytomegalovirus is dangerous if the immune system is weakened (for example, due to immunosuppressants or HIV). In AIDS, CMV is severe and is a common cause of death in patients.
The main symptoms of cytomegalovirus:
- inflammation of the retina (which can lead to blindness),
- colitis (inflammation of the colon),
- esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus),
- neurological disorders (encephalitis, etc.).
The production of antibodies is one way to fight a viral infection. There are several classes of antibodies (IgG, IgM, IgA, etc.), which differ in their functions.
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) usually appears first in the blood (earlier than other types of antibodies). Then their number gradually decreases (this process can last several months). If an exacerbation of a latent infection occurs, the IgM level will increase again.
Thus, IgM is detected:
- during primary infection (in this case the IgM level is highest),
- during exacerbation of the disease (as well as during reinfection, i.e. infection with a new form of the virus).
What is the research used for?
For the diagnosis of acute cytomegalovirus infection.
When is the study scheduled?
- During pregnancy.
- With immunodeficiency (in particular, with HIV infection).
- When a person with normal immunity has symptoms of mononucleosis (if tests do not reveal the Epstein-Barr virus).
- If CMV infection is suspected in newborn children.
- During pregnancy:
- for symptoms of the disease,
- if ultrasound reveals fetal developmental abnormalities,
- for screening.
CMV infection in pregnant women is often asymptomatic. However, in some cases, the temperature rises, the lymph nodes, liver and/or spleen become enlarged.
In case of immunodeficiency, the symptoms of CMV infection can be quite varied: from general malaise to retinitis, colitis, encephalitis, etc.
- A test may be prescribed for a newborn if the child:
- jaundice, anemia,
- enlarged spleen and/or liver,
- head size is smaller than normal,
- have hearing or vision impairments,
- there are neurological disorders (mental retardation, convulsions).
What do the results mean?
Reference values
Result: negative.
S/CO ratio (signal/cutoff): 0 - 0.7.
Negative result
- There is currently no current CMV infection. If there are symptoms of a certain disease, then they are caused by another pathogen. In this case, CMV may be present in a latent form. However, if the infection occurred quite recently (several days ago), then IgM antibodies may not have had time to appear in the blood yet.
Positive result
- Recent infection (primary infection). During a primary infection, the IgM level is higher than during an exacerbation.
After the primary infection, IgM can be detected for several months.
- Exacerbation of latent infection.
Important Notes
- Sometimes you need to find out whether a newborn baby is infected with cytomegalovirus. For this purpose, PCR is used and antibodies are additionally determined. If IgM is detected in the child’s blood, it means that he is truly infected with CMV.
- What is reinfection? There are several varieties of CMV in nature. Therefore, it is possible that a person already infected with one type of virus becomes infected with another.
Who orders the study?
General practitioner, therapist, infectious disease specialist, gynecologist.
Literature
- Adler S. P. Screening for Cytomegalovirus during Pregnancy. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2011:1-9.
- Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Goldman L, Schafer A.I., eds. Saunders Elsevier; 2011.
- Lazzarotto T. et al. Why is cytomegalovirus the most frequent cause of congenital infection? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2011; 9(10): 841–843.
Cytomegalovirus is a herpetic type microorganism that is opportunistic and latently lives in the bodies of 90% of people. When the immune system is weakened, it begins to actively multiply and leads to the development of infection. To diagnose the disease, an enzyme immunoassay for cytomegalovirus IgM is predominantly used - determining the presence of antibodies to the infectious agent in the blood.
Indications for the study
As a rule, cytomegalovirus does not pose a danger to a person with normal immunity and is asymptomatic; Sometimes mild symptoms of general intoxication of the body appear, which do not lead to the development of complications. However, for pregnant women and people with immunodeficiency, acute infection can be dangerous.
An enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to CMV is performed if the following symptoms are observed:
- increased body temperature;
- rhinitis;
- a sore throat;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands, in which the virus is concentrated;
- inflammation of the genital organs.
Most often, cytomegalovirus is difficult to distinguish from a common acute respiratory disease. It is worth noting that a pronounced manifestation of symptoms indicates a weakened immune system, so in this case you should additionally check for immunodeficiency.
The easiest way to distinguish cytomegalovirus from a cold is by the timing of the disease. Symptoms of acute respiratory infections disappear within a week; herpes infection can remain in acute form for 1–1.5 months.
Thus, the indications for prescribing the analysis are as follows:
- Pregnancy.
- Immunodeficiency (caused by HIV infection, taking immunosuppressants, or congenital).
- The presence of the above symptoms in a person with normal immunity (the disease must first be differentiated from the Epstein-Barr virus).
- Suspicion of CMV in a newborn child.
Given the possible asymptomatic course of the disease, during pregnancy the test should be performed not only in the presence of symptoms, but also for screening.
The immune system first responds to the entry of any foreign microorganisms into the blood by producing antibodies. Antibodies are immunoglobulins, large protein molecules with a complex structure that are able to bind to proteins that make up the shell of viruses and bacteria (they are called antigens). All immunoglobulins are divided into several classes (IgA, IgM, IgG, etc.), each of which performs its own function in the body’s natural defense system.
IgM class immunoglobulins are antibodies that are the first protective barrier against any infection. They are produced urgently when the CMV virus enters the body, do not have a specification and have a short lifespan - up to 4–5 months (although residual proteins that have a low coefficient of binding to antigens may remain 1–2 years after infection).
Thus, an analysis for IgM immunoglobulins allows you to determine:
- primary infection with cytomegalovirus (in this case, the concentration of antibodies in the blood is maximum);
- exacerbation of the disease - the concentration of IgM increases in response to a sharp increase in the number of viral microorganisms;
- reinfection - infection with a new strain of the virus.
Based on the remnants of IgM molecules, over time, IgG immunoglobulins are formed, which have a specification - they “remember” the structure of a particular virus, persist throughout life and do not allow the infection to develop unless the overall strength of the immune system is reduced. Unlike IgM, IgG antibodies against different viruses have clear differences, so analysis for them gives a more accurate result - they can be used to determine which virus has infected the body, while analysis for IgM only provides confirmation of the presence of infection in a general sense.
IgG antibodies are very important in the fight against cytomegalovirus, since it is impossible to completely destroy it with the help of medications. After the exacerbation of the infection ends, a small number of microorganisms remain in the salivary glands, on the mucous membranes, and internal organs, which is why they can be detected in samples of biological fluids using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The virus population is controlled precisely by IgG immunoglobulins, which prevent cytomegaly from becoming acute.
Decoding the results
Thus, enzyme immunoassay makes it possible to accurately determine not only the presence of cytomegalovirus, but also the period elapsed since infection. It is important to evaluate the presence of both major types of immunoglobulins, so IgM and IgG antibodies are considered together.
The results of the study are interpreted as follows:
| IgM | IgG | Meaning |
| – | – | A person has never encountered cytomegalovirus, so the immune system is “not familiar” with it. Considering that almost all people are infected with it, the situation is very rare. |
| – | + | Normal for most people. This means that there was contact with the virus in the past, and the body has developed a permanent defense against it. |
| + | – | Acute primary infection - the infection occurred recently, “fast” immunoglobulins were activated, but there is no permanent protection against CMV yet. |
| + | + | Exacerbation of chronic infection. Both types of antibodies are activated when the body has encountered the virus previously and has developed permanent protection, but it does not cope with its task. Such indicators indicate a serious weakening of the immune system. |
Particular attention should be paid to a positive IgM antibody result in pregnant women. If IgG immunoglobulins are present, there is nothing to worry about; acute infection poses a danger to the development of the fetus. Complications in this case occur in 75% of cases.
In addition to the actual presence of antibodies, enzyme immunoassay evaluates the avidity coefficient of proteins - their ability to bind to antigens, which decreases as they are destroyed.
The results of the avidity study are deciphered as follows:
- >60% - immunity to cytomegalovirus is developed, infectious agents are present in the body, that is, the disease occurs in a chronic form;
- 30–60% - relapse of the disease, an immune response to the activation of a virus that was previously in a latent form;
- <30% - первичное инфицирование, острая форма заболевания;
- 0% - no immunity, there was no CMV infection, there are no pathogens in the body.
It should be borne in mind that a person with a strong immune system does not need to worry about positive test results - cytomegalovirus does not require drug treatment, the body is quite capable of coping with the infection on its own. However, if the results indicate an acute phase of the disease, you should limit contact with healthy people, especially pregnant women, as there is a high probability of spreading the virus.
Positive IgM result during pregnancy
For women planning a pregnancy or already carrying a child, it is very important to know about a past infection with cytomegalovirus, as this can affect the development of the fetus. An enzyme immunoassay for antibodies comes to the rescue with this.
Test results during pregnancy are assessed differently. The safest option is positive IgG and negative IgM - there is nothing to worry about, since the woman has immunity against the virus, which will be passed on to the child, and there will be no complications. The risk is also small if positive IgM is detected - this indicates a secondary infection that the body is able to fight, and there will be no serious complications for the fetus.
If no antibodies of either class are detected, the pregnant woman should be very careful. It is important to follow measures to prevent infection with cytomegalovirus:
- avoid sexual intercourse without using contraception;
- avoid sharing saliva with other people - do not kiss, do not share dishes, toothbrushes, etc.;
- maintain hygiene, especially when playing with children, who, if they are infected with cytomegalovirus, are almost always carriers of the virus, since their immunity is not yet fully formed;
- See a doctor and get tested for IgM for any manifestations of cytomegalovirus.
It is important to remember that it is much easier to become infected with the virus during pregnancy due to the fact that a woman’s immunity naturally weakens during pregnancy. This is a mechanism of protection against rejection of the embryo by the body. Like other latent viruses, old cytomegalovirus can become active during pregnancy; this, however, only in 2% of cases leads to infection of the fetus.
If the result for IgM antibodies is positive and for IgG antibodies is negative, the situation is most dangerous during pregnancy. The virus can enter the fetus and infect it, after which the development of the infection may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the child. Sometimes the disease is asymptomatic, and permanent immunity against CMV develops after birth; in 10% of cases, the complication is various pathologies of the development of the nervous or excretory system.
Particularly dangerous is infection with cytomegalovirus during pregnancy of less than 12 weeks - an underdeveloped fetus cannot resist the disease, which leads to miscarriage in 15% of cases.
An IgM antibody test only helps determine the presence of the disease; The risk to the child is assessed through additional tests. Based on a number of factors, appropriate pregnancy management tactics are developed to help minimize the likelihood of complications and congenital defects in the child.
Positive result in a child
An embryo can become infected with cytomegalovirus in several ways:
- through sperm during fertilization of the egg;
- through the placenta;
- through the amniotic membrane;
- during childbirth.
If the mother has IgG antibodies, then the child will also have them until about 1 year of age - initially they are there, since during pregnancy the fetus shares a common circulatory system with the mother, then it is supplied with breast milk. As breastfeeding stops, the immune system weakens and the child becomes susceptible to infection from adults.
Positive IgM in a newborn indicates that the child was infected after birth, but the mother does not have antibodies to the infection. If CVM is suspected, not only an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is performed, but also PCR.
If the child’s body’s own defenses are not enough to fight the infection, complications may develop:
- slowdown in physical development;
- jaundice;
- hypertrophy of internal organs;
- various inflammations (pneumonia, hepatitis);
- lesions of the central nervous system - mental retardation, hydrocephalus, encephalitis, problems with hearing and vision.
Thus, the child should be treated if IgM antibodies are detected in the absence of IgG immunoglobulins inherited from the mother. Otherwise, the body of a newborn with normal immunity will cope with the infection on its own. Exceptions are children with serious oncological or immunological diseases, the course of which may affect the functioning of the immune system.
What to do if the result is positive?
A person’s body with a healthy immune system is able to cope with the infection on its own, so if an immune response to cytomegalovirus infection is detected, nothing can be done. Treatment of a virus that does not manifest itself in any way will only lead to a weakening of the immune system. Medicines are prescribed only if the infectious agent has begun to actively develop due to an insufficient reaction of the body.
Treatment is also not necessary during pregnancy if there are IgG antibodies. If only the IgM test is positive, medication is necessary, but it is intended to contain the acute infection and convert the cytomegalovirus into a latent form. It should be remembered that medications for CMV are also unsafe for the body, so they can only be used if prescribed by a doctor - self-medication will lead to various adverse consequences.
Thus, positive IgM indicates an active stage of CMV infection. It should be considered in conjunction with other test results. Particular attention to the test indications should be paid to pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.
Anonymously
Is cytomegalovirus dangerous?
Hello, please tell me, I was tested for viruses, cytomegalovirus IgG negative, IgM positive 1.2 when the norm is 1.0. Duration 11 weeks. Does this seriously threaten the baby? Herpes is also positive, but it is IgG and, as I understand it, it is not dangerous. And even before taking the test, I had to eat a little and did not take the test on an empty stomach, since on an empty stomach one vomits and may faint, could this have influenced and given a false result?
please decipher UAC
Child 1.9 was tested again after some kind of viral infection, where mononuclear cells slipped through. Hemoglobin (HGB) 125 g/l red blood cells (RBC) 4.41 10^12/l white blood cells (WBC) 7.4 10^3/μl hematocrit (HCT) 38.3% Mean erythrocyte volume (MCV) 86.7 fL 80-100 fL mean hemoglobin content in erythrocyte (MCH) 28.3 pg/ml 27-34 pg/ml anisocytosis rate of erythrocytes 13.3% 11.5-14.5% (RDW_CV) platelets (PLT) 345 10^3/μl ESR 7 mm/hour Leukocyte formula: band neutrophils 1% 1- 6% segmented neutrophils 30.5% 47-72% eosinophils 2.9% 0.5-5% monocytes 14.1% 3-11% lymphocytes...
