SEROPREVALENCE OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS AND RUBELLA ANTIBODIES IN PREGNANT WOMEN IN CIUDAD DEL ESTE, PARAGUAY: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract

A retrospective study in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, investigated the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and rubella antibodies in 110 pregnant women during 2022. The average age was 29.8 years. An anti-CMV IgG seroprevalence of 59.1% was found, leaving 40.9% of pregnant women susceptible, a low figure compared to other low- and middle-income countries, but similar to high-income countries. The prevalence of anti-CMV IgM was 9.1%, remarkably high, with most positive cases in married women. For rubella, the IgG seroprevalence was 67.3%, with 32.7% susceptible, which does not reach the 80% immunity threshold recommended by WHO/PAHO. Anti-rubella IgM was 2.7%. These findings suggest a high susceptibility to primary infection by both viruses, with significant public health implications. It is recommended to strengthen health education, rubella vaccination policies, and improve diagnostic algorithms for CMV, including avidity tests, to mitigate the risk of congenital infections in the region.