A comparison of cervical cytomegalovirus (CMV) excretion in gynaecological patients and post-partum women

CMV was isolated from the cervix of 4.2 per cent of 191 gynaecological patients and from 9.8 per cent of 51 women post-partum; all patients were attending the same general practice clinic. The CMV excretion rate was particularly high in the early post-partum period decreasing to nearly normal levels as menstruation returned. Three of 14 (21.4 per cent) post-partum patients excreted CMV before menses had restarted whereas virus was isolated from only two of 36 (5.6 per cent) women who had returned to a normal menstrual cycle. Although this difference was not statistically significant, the excretion rate early post-partum was significantly higher than in the gynaecological group (p less than 0.05). Five of seven excretors in the gynaecological group were in the first half of a menstrual cycle at the time of virus isolation thus suggesting that hormonal changes may lead to CMV reactivation in the genital tract. Other factors which may influence the presence of CMV in the genital tract of non-pregnant women are discussed. Three of four infant born to women excreting virus on the cervix post-partum became infected with CMV.