Prevention of transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus infections in newborn infants

Monocytes are a major site of persistence of human cytomegalovirus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

“…We have no evidence that these subjects are infected with functional virus. It should be noted that, in general, seronegative adult transplant recipients who receive organs from seronegative donors, and seronegative neonates receiving seronegative blood products show little evidence of HCMV transmission (Paya et al, 1989;Bowden et al, 1986;Chou, 1986;Adler et al, 1983;Yeager et al, 1981). Therefore, further studies are needed to analyse the level of transcription, if any, in seronegative/PCR-positive healthy carriers to determine whether these viral gene sequences are expressed.…”

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Infection in Osteosarcoma Cell Line Suppresses GM‐CSF Production by Induction of TGF‐β

“…Although HCMV infections frequently occur in the context of preexisting immunosuppression, infection by HCMV alone may exert immunosuppressive effects (2,6,15). Transient neutropenia and thrombocytopenia may occur in the course of acute HCMV infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients (19,21), newborn infants (22), and congenitally infected infants (20). The mechanism by which HCMV disease causes immunosuppression is unclear but may either directly or indirectly involve the infection of hemopoietic cells (14,16,17).…”

Evaluation of a prescreening blood donor program for prevention of perinatal transfusion-acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

“…Previous studies have emphasized the use of CMV seronegative blood to prevent CMV infection [1,11]. Results of other studies document the infectivity of granulocyte concentrates as well [6,10].…”

“…Pneumonia, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia and anemia associated with CMV infection can compound the problem in infants who may already have pulmonary, hepatic and marrow dysfunction resulting from prematurity per se and/or superimposed diseases. The use of CMV seronegative blood for transfusion in infants has been shown to prevent transfusion acquired CMV infection, but the logistics of obtaining CMV seronegative blood products in a timely manner for neonatal transfusions can be difficult [1,11]. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of utilizing a prescreened CMV seronegative blood donor program in preventing transfusion acquired CMV infection in premature infants.…”