A systematic literature review of the global seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus: Possible implications for treatment, screening, and vaccine development

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common pathogen that affects individuals of all ages and establishes lifelong latency. Although CMV is typically asymptomatic in healthy individuals, infection during pregnancy or in immunocompromised individuals can cause severe disease.

(2022) 22:1659 Fowler et al BMC Public Health https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13971-7 Open Access RESEARCH A systematic literature review of the global seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus: possible implications for treatment, screening, and vaccine development Karen Fowler1, Jacek Mucha2, Monika Neumann3, Witold Lewandowski2†, Magdalena Kaczanowska2, Maciej Grys2, Elvira Schmidt3, Andrew Natenshon4, Carla Talarico4†, Philip O. Buck4 and John Diaz‑Decaro4*  Abstract  Background:  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common pathogen that affects individuals of all ages and establishes lifelong latency Although CMV is typically asymptomatic in healthy individuals, infection during pregnancy or in immunocompromised individuals can cause severe disease Currently, treatments are limited, with no prophylactic vaccine available Knowledge of the current epidemiologic burden of CMV is necessary to understand the need for treatment and prevention A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to describe the most recent epidemio‑ logic burden of CMV globally Methods:  Medline, Embase, and LILACS were searched to identify data on CMV prevalence, seroprevalence, shed‑ ding, and transmission rates The SLR covered the time period of 2010–2020 and focused geographically on Australia, Europe, Israel, Japan, Latin America (LATAM), and North America Studies were excluded if they were systematic or narrative reviews, abstracts, case series, letters, or correspondence Studies with sample sizes