Long-term dynamics of cytomegalovirus-specific antibodies in a longitudinal cohort of children followed up for the first decade of life
Mburu MW, Safari MS, Makori TO, Gicheru ET, Nyawa OK, Kuria TC, Foley DJ, Sande CJ (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 15
Article Number: 35541
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-19676-2
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) causes infections that last a lifetime and are primarily contracted in childhood. Congenital transmitted CMV is associated with severe neurological sequelae and can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. Although antibodies are generally presumed to correlate with protection, their long-term dynamics remain poorly understood. We aimed to determine the longevity of CMV-specific antibodies in a low-income setting in Kilifi County, Kenya. To track long-term antibody dynamics, we conducted longitudinal surveillance of annually collected serum samples and assayed for antibodies against the CMV tegument phosphoprotein (pp150). The duration of effective immunity against re-infection was estimated using piecewise regression modelling. Serum antibody to CMV was measured in 123 children recruited within the first five years of life and sampled annually over a median of 10 years (range: 7–14). Antibodies to the CMV pp150 showed a cyclic trend of acquisition and loss at the population level. Individually, we observed early antibody acquisition, followed by decline and rebound. Regression analysis identified a 7.57-year inflection point in antibody trajectories, marking a transition from waning to re-accumulation - potentially reflecting natural boosting events in a population where CMV infection occurs early in life. The data show a clear pattern of early natural infection, followed by repeated patterns of antibody acquisition, loss, and re-acquisition over the first decade and a half of life.
Involved external institutions
KEMRI-Wellcome Research Programme
Kenya (KE)
Temple Street Children's University Hospital / Children's Health Ireland (CHI)
Ireland (IE)
Kenya (KE)
Temple Street Children's University Hospital / Children's Health Ireland (CHI)
Ireland (IE)
How to cite
APA:
Mburu, M.W., Safari, M.S., Makori, T.O., Gicheru, E.T., Nyawa, O.K., Kuria, T.C.,... Sande, C.J. (2025). Long-term dynamics of cytomegalovirus-specific antibodies in a longitudinal cohort of children followed up for the first decade of life. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19676-2
MLA:
Mburu, Maureen W., et al. "Long-term dynamics of cytomegalovirus-specific antibodies in a longitudinal cohort of children followed up for the first decade of life." Scientific Reports 15.1 (2025).
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