MOLECULAR CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCULATING CMV STRAINS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: CMV impurity during pregnancy is a major concern as it can prime to inborn. CMV is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, including sensorineural hearing loss, cerebral palsy, and cognitive impairments. CMV is primarily transmitted through bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, blood, and sexual contact. Objective: The objective of this study is to classify the circulating CMV strains based on gB genotype among pregnant women in Pakistan Methods: The experimental cross-sectional study was conducted at the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Riphah International University Lahore. A total of 50 pregnant women aged between 18 to 40 years were recruited for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Participants were conscripted from multiple antenatal clinics in Pakistan. Collecting blood samples for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing requires meticulous attention to detail to prevent contamination and ensure the integrity of the sample. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Phylogenetic analysis was executed to visualize the genetic affairs amongst the identified genotypes. Results: This study was comprised of 50 pregnant womenfolk of ages ranging from 20 to 40 years. Among them, 32 women (64%) reside in rural areas, while 18 (36%) live in urban areas and the majority (37 participants, 74%) belong to the poor socioeconomic category, while a smaller proportion (13 participants, 26%) are classified as rich. The most frequently observed genotype is gB2 (38%), followed closely by gB3 (36%), accounting for 74% of the total cases. The gB1 genotype is found in 16% of participants, while gB4 is the least common (10%). Conclusion: This study concluded that the most frequently observed genotype is gB2 (38%), followed closely by gB3 (36%), accounting for 74% of the total cases. The gB1 genotype is found in 16% of participants, while gB4 is the least common (10%) in pregnant women in Pakistan. There is more prevalence in rural areas as compared to urban women and also more prevalence in poor females as compared to rich women when compared to socioeconomic status.