Cytomegalovirus infection

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common perinatal infection and may result in severe injury to the fetus. Forty percent to 50% of infants delivered to mothers with primary CMV will have congenital infections. Of these, 5% to 18% will be overtly symptomatic at birth. The mortality rate in these children is almost 30%; approximately 80% of the survivors have severe neurological morbidity. The majority of congenitally infected infants will be asymptomatic at birth; 10% to 15% of these children subsequently have sequelae such as visual and auditory defects. If recurrent or reactivated CMV infection develops during pregnancy, the risk of serious fetal injury is very low. Similarly, neonatal infection acquired during delivery or from breast feeding also poses minimal risk to the child. Because antimicrobial therapy and immunoprophylaxis for CMV infection are unsatisfactory, pregnant women must be educated about preventive measures.

Laboratory evaluation of the new Access® cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin IgM and IgG assays

“…1 CMV infection is endemic. 2 In Europe, 45% of pregnant women are sero-positive at the beginning of pregnancy.…”

Virus Infection and Type I Interferon in Endometriosis

“…EBV maintains latency in B cells. CMV can cause pneumonitis and delayed neurological complications like sensory neural hearing deficits and learning disabilities (Brown & Abernathy, 1998). CMV maintains latency in monocytes and macrophages.…”

The Antenatal Causes of Cerebral Palsy – Genetic and Viral Associations

“…Cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex viruses, varicella zoster virus, adenovirus, and enterovirus are all capable of crossing the placenta and infecting the fetus. [129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136] The likelihood of maternal infection resulting in infection of the fetus varies according to the specific virus, whether the infection is primary or recurrent, and the gestational age of the fetus at the time of infection. Once the infection has crossed the placenta into the fetal circulation, there is the potential for damage, both by the infectious agent directly, and also by the FIRS.…”