Cytomegalovirus Infection (CMV)

Definition

Cytomegalovirus infection may be occur due to cytomegalovirus, a deoxyribonucleic add. CMV infection occurs by human contact.  In most of these people, the disease is so mild that it's overlooked. But  CMV infection during pregnancy can be lead to the fetus and , possibly leading to stillbirth, brain damage, and other birth defects or to severe neonatal illness. It's the most common cause of congenital infection. It's also common in those who has human immunodeficiency virus infection or in those who are otherwise innnunocompromised.

Causes of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Cytomegalovirus Infection may be occur due to various causes such as:

Mostly, it is found in saliva, urine, breast milk, blood, vaginal and cervical secretions. It is usually transmitted through contact with these infected secretions. It may be transmitted by sexual contact and can travel across the placenta, causing a congenital infection, Immunosuppressed patients, especially those who have received transplanted organs, have a 90% chance of contracting CMV infection. Recipients of blood transfusions from donors with positive CMV antibodies are at some risk.

Symptoms of Cytomegalovirus Infection

• Chorioretinitis
• Colitis
• Encephalitis
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Hepatic dysfunction
• Spider angiomas
• Pneumonitis
• Hepatosplenomegaly

In these patients, the disease usually runs a self limiting course. But, immunodeficiency patients and those receiving immunosuppressants may develop pneumonia or other secondary infections. Congenital CMV infection contains the virus and it may cause brain damage. It may also produce a rapidly fatal neonatal illness characterized by jaundice, petechial rash, hepatosple, nomegaly, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, microcephaly, psychomotor retardation, mental deficiency, and hearing loss. Infants with congenital CMV infection may also present with abnormal muscle tone, lethargy, and chorioretinitis. Occasionally, this form is rapidly fatal. In some adults. CMV may cause cytomegalovirus mononucleosis, with 3 weeks or more of irregular, high fever. Other findings may include a normal or elevated white blood cell count, lymphocytosis, and increased atypical lymphocytes

Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Infection

There is no current treatment for CMV infection or for the congenital disease in the neonate.

• If you are immunosuppressed patient, then CMV is treated with acyclovir, ganciclovir and, possibly, foscamet.
• Most important, parents of children with severe congenital CMV infection need support and counseling to help them cope with the possibility that their child will suffer serious and chronic medical problems or even death.
• You can also use another home treatment, in which CMV "mononucleosis" is usually a fairly mild illness and can be treated at home, with rest and nonprescription medications suggested by your child's doctor.
• For the treatment of CMV infection, the patients taking gandclovir, monitor complete blood count because the drug causes bone marrow suppression. Administer G-CSF or erythropoietin, as ordered.