Primary Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Infection in Pregnancy

Abstract

SUMMARYBackground: In 0.5-4% of pregnancies, the prospective mother sustains a primary infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). An HCMV infection of the fetus in the first or second trimester can cause complex post-encephalitic impairment of the infant brain, leading to motor and mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, retinal defects, and progressive hearing loss.

Comparison of quantitative real‐time PCR and short‐term (18‐hour) microculture in diagnosis of fetal cytomegalovirus infection: Impact of hyperimmunoglobulin treatment

“…In every case of fatal outcome, the resulting number of infected nuclei/mL in AF was higher than 750 N IEA /mL, and the determined number of HCMV DNA VL was clearly higher than 6 × 10 4 IU/mL. Examination results on signs and symptoms of cCMV infection during neonatal period defined by Buxmann et al can be reported for 12 children. Table 5 of the supplemental material gives information about virological data from AF, infants body fluids obtained shortly after birth and clinical findings.…”

Thirty years of CMV seroprevalence—a longitudinal analysis in a German university hospital

“…Permanent sequelae include sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), microcephaly, seizures, neurologic deficits, and retinitis. Counseling about hygiene can lower the risk of anti-CMV IgG negative women to get infected during pregnancy [5,6]. The rate of SNHL appears to be similar for children born after primary and non-primary maternal CMV infection, but seems to be more severe in the primary maternal infection group [7].…”

“…Primary infection, reactivation, or reinfection shortly before or during pregnancy can result in congenital CMV infection, which is estimated to lead to permanent disability in 1 to 2 cases per 1000 pregnant women in Germany [5], making it the most common infectious cause of birth defects. Permanent sequelae include sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), microcephaly, seizures, neurologic deficits, and retinitis.…”

Prevention of maternal–fetal transmission of cytomegalovirus after primary maternal infection in the first trimester by biweekly hyperimmunoglobulin administration

“…Cytomegalovirus (CMV) primary infection during pregnancy results in 700–1400 children per year being born with developmental disorders in Germany. Primary maternal CMV infection occurs in about 0.5–4% of CMV‐seronegative pregnant women, and in about 10–15% of these cases the neonate is symptomatic at birth.…”