Lower prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Portugal: possible impact of COVID-19 lockdown?

Fernandez, Catarina; Chasqueira, Maria-Jesus; Marques, Augusta; Rodrigues, Lúcia; Marçal, Mónica; Tuna, Madalena; Braz, Mónica Cró; Neto, Ana Serrão; Mendes, Cândida; Lito, David; Rocha, Paula; Vasconcellos, Gabriela; Menezes, Maria-Favila; Sousa, Maria José; Nunes, Carla; Paixão, Paulo

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection all over the world. Its prevalence ranges from 0.2 to 2.2%. Transmission from children to their pregnant mothers is a well-known risk factor, particularly if they attend a childcare centre. This study aims to compare the prevalence of CMV congenital infection (CMV_CI) in Portugal (Lisbon) between two studies, performed respectively in 2019 and 2020. In the 2019 study, performed in two hospitals, we found a 0.67% CMV_CI prevalence, using a pool strategy previously tested with saliva samples. In the 2020 study, using the same pool approach in four hospitals (the previous and two additional), and based on 1277 samples, the prevalence was 0.078%. Conclusion: The close temporal coincidence with COVID-19 lockdown suggests that these measures may have had a significant impact on this reduction, although other explanations cannot be ruled-out.