Cytomegalovirus Infections in Homosexual Men

Abstract

Levels of cytomegalovirus antibody (IgG and IgM) were measured and urine viral cultures were done in 237 homosexual men over a mean period of 14.1 mo. The initial prevalence of cytomegalovirus IgG antibody was 86.9%. By the 9th mo. of follow-up, 71% of serosusceptible men had become infected with cytomegalovirus. During the study period cytomegalovirus was noted in 32% of seropositive men. Cytomegalovirus IgM antibody was intermittently present in the serum of 95% of IgG-seropositive men, suggesting that frequent reactivation of latent infection or reexposure to exogenous virus had occurred. Of 7 sexual practices investigated, only passive anal-genital intercourse correlated with the acquisition of cytomegalovirus infection (P = 0.008).