CMV
LLC121212
Posts: 13
I tested negative for CMV so my fertility DR suggested that I select a negative donor. What are the risks if I do select a positive donor and what does it mean if someone is positive but (***)negative?
0
Comments
First and foremost, we always suggest that you follow your physician's instructions.
CMV can be a confusing topic and I included a link below for our FAQs.
http://www.cryobank.com/How-It-Works/Donor-Qualification/Infectious-Diseases-Screening/CMV-Testing
Our donors undergo the “CMV Total Antibody” screening which is mandated by the FDA. If the results come back as total antibody positive, we do a set of more precise tests to determine whether the donor has had a recent or historic exposure to CMV. These are the IgM and IgG tests.
If a donor’s results are IgM positive, it is an indication of a current or recent CMV infection and the donor is not accepted into the program.
If a donor’s results are IgM negative, IgG positive, it is an indication that the donor was exposed to the virus at a previous point in his life. These donors are eligible to participate in our program and are listed on our website as “Positive”. It’s important to note that they are positive for the antibodies and did not have an active infection at the time of donation. (Similar to chicken pox, once you are exposed to the virus, you will always carry the antibodies, but the virus is usually spread when the infected person has an active infection and is shedding viral particles.)
In some cases, a donor’s screening will come back as CMV Total Antibody positive, but then his reflex testing comes back as IgM negative, IgG negative, indicating that the total antibody positive result was incorrect. Because the CMV Total Antibody screening is required by the FDA, we must report the donor as “Positive”, however, since the IgM and IgG results were both negative, it would be inaccurate to report that the donor has been exposed to CMV, when the results show no evidence of a current or past CMV infection. These are the donors that are labeled “Positive (IgG/IgM Negative)”. Additionally, all vials are quarantined for 6 months and CMV testing is repeated at approximately 90-day intervals. Donors usually have several CMV Total Antibody screenings while they are donating in our program, so when we see that a donor whose previous results were CMV Total Antibody positive, IgM & IgG negative, now come back as CMV Total Antibody negative, it further supports our medical director’s conclusion that the previous total antibody positive result was incorrect.
While we can never say that the risk is zero, in our 35-year history we have never had a reported case of CMV transmission from a donor to a recipient. I included a link below from the March of Dimes, if you’d like to learn more about CMV & pregnancy.
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/cytomegalovirus-and-pregnancy.aspx
Best of luck,
Nicole
CCB