Early Acquisition of Cytomegalovirus Antibodies in Communal Settlements (kibbutzim) in Israel

The kibbutzim (communal settlements) in Israel are unique societies. Although socioeconomic status is above average and hygienic conditions are usually excellent, infants in these communities living together in nurseries acquire infection with cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus at an early age. We have studied the occurrence of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in a kibbutz in northern Israel where many of the infants and young children, living in adjacent nurseries, have suffered for weeks or months from respiratory tract illnesses. Evidence of recent or past infection with cytomegalovirus was found in all children younger than 24 months of age, while most of them did not have antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. The latter were found in 45% of children aged 3-12 years. Similar evidence suggesting earlier acquisition of cytomegalovirus infection and immunity than of Epstein-Barr virus infection was also found in several other kibbutzim. The evidence presented suggests a different mode of transmission for cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in the younger age groups.