Prevalence of cytomegalovirus antibody in hemophiliacs and homosexuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

We determined the prevalence of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the sera of non‐homosexual hemophilia patients and homosexual men infected with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1). CMV antibody testing by latex agglutination revealed 33 of 58 HIV‐1 infected hemophiliacs (57%) were antibody‐positive compared with 54 of 54 HIV‐1 infected asymptomatic non‐hemophiliac homosexuals (100%) (p less than .001). Nine of 15 hemophiliacs (60%) with symptomatic HIV‐1 infection were CMV antibody‐positive. We also tested 22 HIV‐1 antibody‐ negative hemophiliacs who had received non‐heat treated factor concentrates. 14 of these 22 (64%) were CMV antibody‐positive compared with 57% of HIV‐1 antibody‐positive hemophiliacs. We conclude 1) there is little correlation between transmission of HIV‐1 and CMV by factor concentrates, 2) the presence of CMV antibody does not appear to be associated with clinical stage of HIV‐1 infection in hemophiliacs, and 3) there may be a significant number of CMV antibody‐negative hemophiliacs with HIV‐1 infection at risk for primary infection and subsequent disease if CMV seronegative blood products are not provided for future transfusions. 1988 AABB