Are there any immunologists here?

[Helpgratefullyreceived]

I have a question about congenital CMV I’d really like help with and don’t know how I can find out

Thanks

I'm a scientist, not immunologist but what's your question?

I became pregnant in July and my baby showed high nuchal translucency in September

In December, I had a TORCH blood test which showed previous CMV infection; the results were:

Cytomegalovirus Ab (IgG): 45.8

Cytomegalovirus Ab (IgM): Negative

There’s a note saying < 6.0 AU/ml is considered non-reactive. > 6.0 AU/ml is considered reactive

I understand this means there was no active infection (negative igm) at the time of the test. But is there any way of knowing definitively if the past infection would have been more than six months prior (ie before the pregnancy, removing the risk of congenital CMV?)

The clinic where I had the test originally said that igm is active for 6 months after infection and the “reactivity supports this”, but I don’t understand what that bit means. The GP I spoke to later said there was no way of knowing. I understand that might be the case but wanted to get my head around it

We are under a paediatrician for a development concern, probably entirely unrelated, but my worry is that if my baby had congenital CMV this could worsen rather than improve and we’ve not undergone antibiotic treatment

Thanks!

Antiviral treatment I mean

I have no scientific knowledge but was told that if you had previously been exposed prior to pregnancy that it was not dangerous during pregnancy. Could you ask your midwife to find out more- maybe see your consultant? I hope that things are ok, must be so worrying for you

Sorry, I’ve checked and what they actually said was:

“IgM will only stay positive for 3-6 months. If it is negative, as in your case, the infection occurred more than 6 months ago. IgG basically confirms the time frames.”

Thank you ilikesweetpeas, you have made me realise how confusing my post was 😊

It was July last year I was pregnant, little one here now

I’m guessing this is one of those difficult to know questions, but the clinic seemed pretty sure - are they right? Thanks

Oh, I understand now. Sorry I can't help. I don't understand it all, just know before I had IVF i git checked for CMV antibodies as I worked with a child who had congenital CMV who was still shedding infection cells so I could have been at risk. Hope things are ok with your little one