Cervical shedding of cytomegalovirus (CMV) is important in transmission of CMV to exposed sexual partners and neonates. We evaluated prevalence and correlates of CMV DNA shedding in cervical secretions from a large cohort of HIV-1-seropositive women. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, CMV DNA was detected in 183 (59%) cervical swab samples from 311 women. Cervical shedding of CMV DNA was significantly associated with shedding of HIV-1 DNA (odds ratio 1.8; 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.8). CMV shedding was also more frequent in women with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis infections, but these associations were not statistically significant. Cervical shedding of CMV in HIV-1-infected women is very frequent and may reflect higher risk of transmission to sexual partners and neonates than previously appreciated.
Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.