Cytomegalovirus Infection in Children in Japan

ABSTRACT An attempt to isolate cytomegalovirus (CMV) from specimens obtained from children with various diseases was carried out from June, 1966 thru August, 1967. Forty‐five strains of CMV were isolated from 21 cases of 135 children examined. Success in isolation was most frequently observed in children ranging in age from 5 months to 4 years. Serological investigations revealed a rate of incidence of complement‐fixing antibodies against CMV was over 90% in the newborn, decreased to 60% in infancy, and gradually increased after 10 years of age. The highest rate of primary infection incidence was in early infancy and it was noted that lower age infants showed a marked tendency to become persistent virus excreters.