Transfusion Transmitted infection rate has been reduced due to improvement in donor screening. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in susceptible patients is associated with serious morbidity and a high mortality. Transmission of cytomegalovirus infection through blood transfusion is markedly reduced by transfusion of CMV seronegative blood products, or by transfusion of leucodepleted blood products. In immuno compromised patient to whom CMV free products are requested, these viruses can be reactivated in immuno compromised individuals. To detect Cytomegalo virus (CMV) IgM and IgG antibodies among healthy voluntary blood donors in Chennai. Crosssectional descriptive study. Five hundred participants were recruited among voluntary blood donors at the Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University and testing was done at the Department of Transfusion Medicine. Socio demographic details and the CMV serologic status of the donors were determined by ELISA. The age, gender, marital status, education level and geographical area of residence of the participants were documented and compared. Among the 500 blood donors recruited male were 72%. Most of the voluntary blood donors were aged 18-20 years (53%) and only 11% were above 30 years of age. Students (68%) and professional (23%) were in vulnerable group for CMV infection. Anti- CMV IgG and IgM positivity was 87.0%, (95% CI 86.45-87.53%), and 0.2% (95% CI 0.2-0.5%), respectively. There was statistical difference between different ages and socio economic status in the prevalence of CMV antibodies. However male had a higher prevalence of CMV antibodies. There is a very high prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibodies among voluntary blood donors at Chennai, almost all blood donors having been exposed to the virus. Since the CMV remains latent within leucocytes after infection inspite of the presence of antibodies in seropositive individuals, leucoreduction of blood products is recommended before transfusion to seronegative susceptible patients.
