Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Vaccines: Reinfection and Antigenic Variation

The objectives of the protocol are to determine if a structured cognitive-behavioral interventional counseling of pregnant women can limit acquisition of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) during pregnancy that we believe, will in turn decrease the incidence of congenital HCMV infections in this highly seroimmune population. Previously, investigators have demonstrated the success of a similar approach in pregnant women without previous evidence of HCMV infection (non-immune women) but to date, there is no evidence that such an approach will alter the incidence of congenital HCMV infections in seroimmune women. This protocol will take advantage of recently derived data in this maternal population that has identified sources HCMV exposure in women in this population and thus provided new insight into targeted counseling interventions that could limit maternal acquisition of HCMV. The primary endpoints of this study will be a 50% reduction in the overall incidence of congenital HCMV infections in this maternal population with secondary endpoints being efficient uptake of behavioral recommendations and modifications of simple hygiene behaviors that have previously been shown to decrease exposure and acquisition of HCMV.