Cytomegalovirus
Also written as CMV.
The 'T' for toxoplasmosis and the 'C' for cytomegalovirus are most likely to involve the CNS.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Person-to-person contact (kissing, sexual contact, saliva/urine on hands then touching eyes, nose, or mouth)
- Breast milk of an infected woman
- Transplacental (infected pregnant women to unborn babies)
- Blood transfusions and organ transplantation
- Congenital manifestations — temporary symptoms
Read this in Mycology Revision: Fungal Infections, Histoplasmosis & Cryptococcosis
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV)
- Key fact: Most common congenital viral infection; prevalent but usually asymptomatic in healthy hosts.
Read this in Herpesviruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Tx
What our notes say
- The 'T' for toxoplasmosis and the 'C' for cytomegalovirus are most likely to involve the CNS. (CNS PATHOLOGY — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) are both members of the Herpesviridae family and share the fundamental herpesvirus property of establishing lifelong latent infection. (EXAM: Vaccines & Antivirals, Rabies, CMV & EBV, Adenovirus & Enteroviruses)
- b) Discuss the various manifestations caused by cytomegalovirus in congenital infections (10 marks) (Medical Microbiology III Exam: Viruses, Fungi & Diagnosis)
- | CMV-negative | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection | CMV-seronegative immunocompromised patients (e.g., HSCT recipients, HIV patients), pregnant women, premature neonates; leukoreduced blood is often an acceptable alternative | (Blood Transfusion Medicine: An Exam-Focused Review)
- Infections: - Early (within first 3 months): Bacterial infections are most common. - Later (3–12 months): Cytomegalovirus (CMV), fungal infections (Aspergillus, Candida), and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) are more prevalent. (Endocrine & Renal Pathology — Must Know Notes)
- He develops pain and decreased vision on the right, and funduscopic examination reveals a cytomegalovirus retinitis; this improves with ganciclovir therapy. (Immunopathology complete mcqs — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
Study material on Cytomegalovirus
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Guide: Pathogenesis, Dx & Treatment
- EXAM: Vaccines & Antivirals, Rabies, CMV & EBV, Adenovirus & Enteroviruses
- Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2 Pathogenesis & Clinical Diseases
- Medical Microbiology III Exam: Viruses, Fungi & Diagnosis
- Lung Pathology — Must-Know
- MKU Medical Virology Exam Guide: HIV, CMV, Vaccines & More
- CNS PATHOLOGY
- Herpesviruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Tx
- Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Treatment
- Blood Transfusion Medicine: An Exam-Focused Review
- Medical Virology & Mycology Paper Two 2022/2023 — MKU MBMM 3300 MCQs with Answers
Practice questions on Cytomegalovirus
NOT TRUE about cytomegalovirus?
- Primary infection is usually symptomatic
- An infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome may occur during primary infection
- May cause severe infection in immunocompromised individuals
- Causes syncytium formation in cell culture
- Causes Kawasaki disease
Answer: E. Kawasaki disease has no established causal link to CMV; its aetiology remains unknown. Option a is also arguably false, since most primary CMV infections are asymptomatic.
What group tends to develop a more virulent form of cytomegalovirus infection?
- Women of childbearing age
- Young adults
- IV drug abusers
- Newborns
Answer: D. Congenital CMV in newborns causes the most severe disease, including mental retardation, sensorineural hearing loss, chorioretinitis, hepatosplenomegaly, and microcephaly. Newborns lack mature immune systems and cannot control primary CMV infection. ---