[Study of the incidence of complement-fixing antibodies against the cytomegalovirus in 339 subjects]

Abstract

The authors studied complement-fixing anticytomegalovirus antibodies in a population of 339 subjects, divided up into 8 groups, from birth to 60 years. The adult group consisted of blood donors. At birth, the new-born acquired temporary passive immunity from their mothers ; then they became actively immunised over the course of several years. The increase in the number of immunised subjects was greater during infancy and adolescence, passing from 6 % to 28.1 %, than during adult age (45.1 to 52.9 %). A very important difference of 17 %) definitely separated the age groups of adolescents and young adults. 47.4 % of blood donors have complement fixing anticytomegalo-virus antibodies.