Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus Among Blood Donors at a Regional Blood Bank in Benue State

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that poses a significant transfusion transmission risk, particularly for immunocompromised recipients and neonates. In Benue State, North Central Nigeria, where blood banking services are expanding, CMV serological data among donors are largely unreported. This study determines the seroprevalence of CMV IgG and IgM antibodies among blood donors at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital blood bank, Makurdi. A cross-sectional study will enrol 300 consenting blood donors over six months. Serum samples will be tested for CMV IgG and IgM using commercially validated ELISA kits. Donor data including age, sex, donation type (voluntary versus replacement), previous donation history, and urban versus rural origin will be recorded. Logistic regression will identify predictors of CMV seropositivity. Globally, CMV seroprevalence among blood donors varies from 40 to 100 percent, with higher rates reported in low-income settings. The absence of CMV-negative blood products in most Nigerian blood banks creates unquantified risk for vulnerable recipients. Findings will characterise the CMV antibody profile of the Benue blood donor pool, informing decisions on CMV screening policies and the feasibility of maintaining CMV-seronegative blood stocks for high-risk transfusion recipients. This study supports evidence-based blood safety policy in North Central Nigeria aligned with WHO guidelines on blood product safety. Keywords: cytomegalovirus, seroprevalence, blood donors, Benue State, transfusion safety