Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous virus infecting people irrespective of age, sex, race, or socioeconomic and geographical backgrounds. CMV seroprevalence rates range from 40% to 96% depending on the population.[11]Zuhair M, Smit GSA, Wallis G, et al. Estimation of the worldwide seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Med Virol. 2019 May;29(3):e2034.
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[12]Bate SL, Dollard SC, Cannon MJ. Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence in the United States: the national health and nutrition examination surveys, 1988-2004. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Jun 1;50(11):1439-47.
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/50/11/1439/504798
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[13]Fowler K, Mucha J, Neumann M, et al. A systematic literature review of the global seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus: possible implications for treatment, screening, and vaccine development. BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 1;22(1):1659.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9435408
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36050659?tool=bestpractice.com
Seroprevalence is generally higher in developing countries compared with countries in the developed world, and may be higher in urban compared with rural communities.[13]Fowler K, Mucha J, Neumann M, et al. A systematic literature review of the global seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus: possible implications for treatment, screening, and vaccine development. BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 1;22(1):1659.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9435408
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36050659?tool=bestpractice.com
In the US, congenital CMV infection affects more than 20,000 infants annually.[14]Gantt S, Dionne F, Kozak FK, et al. Cost-effectiveness of universal and targeted newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection. JAMA Pediatr. 2016 Dec 1;170(12):1173-80.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2557388
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Worldwide, the pooled prevalence of congenital CMV infection is 0.67%.[3]Ssentongo P, Hehnly C, Birungi P, et al. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection burden and epidemiologic risk factors in countries with universal screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Aug 2;4(8):e2120736.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2783304
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It is the most common congenital infectious cause of sensorineural hearing loss and intellectual disability.[10]Revello M. Pathogenesis and prenatal diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection. J Clin Virol. 2004 Feb;29(2):71-83.
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