AUTHOR=Del’Olio Karen , Geiger Annie , Terry Judith , Callaghan Cindi , Howe Lauren , Hamel Cheryl , Platia Delaney , Blake Alyssa , Tran Lisa , Davenport Anne , Orvek Elizabeth , Lammi Stephen , Barton Bruce , Kowalik Timothy , Holik John , Mirza Anne , Cojohari Olesea , Woods Kelsey , Druker Susan , Naeem Syed Saad , Diaz-Decaro John D. , Hayden Madeleine , Lasso Iliana Leony , Gulpinar Juli , Basnet Sandeep , Panther Lori , Natenshon Andrew , Suvarna Thejas , Harman Emma , Bridges Kelley , Schrader Summer , Gibson Laura 

TITLE=Connecting research and community: a methodological framework for investigating CMV transmission in childcare settings

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1657706

DOI=10.3389/fped.2025.1657706

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=The CMV Transmission and Immune Tracking (TransmIT) Study was developed to address critical gaps in understanding of cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission dynamics in early education and care (EEC) settings. This two-stage, community-engaged study design integrates EEC center partnerships, digital study platforms, and data pipeline infrastructures to enable longitudinal virologic and immunologic surveillance in this high-exposure environment. Stage I focused on establishing foundational components of the study, including a geographically diverse EEC center network, culturally tailored recruitment strategies, a community advisory board, protocols for participant enrollment and saliva sample collection, and optimized laboratory assays to measure viral shedding in saliva. The study approach honed during Stage I is intended to support future longitudinal investigations into viral shedding patterns, immune responses, and co-infections among children and staff in EEC centers. This manuscript presents a methodological framework for conducting community-centered scalable research in early childhood settings with relevance for CMV and other infectious diseases of public health importance.