CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) – INFECTIONS, PATHOGENESIS, CLINICAL FEATURES, LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT & PROPHYLAXIS

INTRODUCTION TO CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is formerly known as salivary gland virus, are a group of Herpes viruses, characterized by enlargement of infected cells and prominent Intranuclear inclusions.

INFECTIONS CAUSED BY CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

⇒ The source of the infection is usually by direct contact with body fluids, such s Saliva, Blood, Urine, Semen, Vaginal fluids, and Breastmilk.

⇒ Most healthy people do not experience any symptoms when infected with CMV, and it doesn’t pose a serious health concern.

⇒ In those children and adults who do have symptoms will recover from CMV infection without complications and do not require antiviral treatment.

⇒ In those with weakened immune system, CMV can cause serious disease (Retinitis Hepatitis, Colitis, Pneumonia, or Encephalitis).

Also Read: GRAM STAINING – PRINCIPLE, REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURE & INTERPRETATION

GRAM STAINING – PRINCIPLE, REQUIREMENTS, PROCEDURE & INTERPRETATION

CLINICAL FEATURES OF CMV INFECTION

⇒ The symptoms of Acute CMV infection include:-

• Fever
• Malaise
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Hepatomegaly
• Splenomegaly
• Fatigue

⇒ Hepatitis like signs includes – Appetite loss, Yellow eyes, Nausea & Diarrhea.

⇒ In Immuno-compromised individuals, CMV infection can attack different organs of the body & may cause blurred vision and blindness, Lung infection, Diarrhea, Hepatitis or Encephalitis.

⇒ Congenital CMV shows the symptoms of Deafness, Jaundice, Skin rash, Pneumonia, Spleenomegaly, Hepatomegaly, Microcephaly or Seizures.

PATHOGENICITY OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

⇒ The virus may be transmitted from person to person in several ways – close contact with virus bearing material, blood transfusion, sexual contact etc.

⇒ The incubation period of CMV is 4-8 weeks.

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

⇒ Specimen: The virus can be isolated from Urine, Saliva, Breast Milk, Semen, Cervical secretions, Blood Leucocytes.

⇒ Isolation of Virus: Virus can be grown in Human amnion, Human Fibroblast, HeLa or Vero cell cultures.

⇒ Antigen detection: CMV antigen can be detected by blood leucocytes using monoclonal antibodies.

⇒ Polymerase Chain Reaction: PCR is the most widely used molecular method for the detection of CMV DNA.

TREATMENT OF CMV INFECTION

⇒ Ganciclovir & Foscarnet have been found to be effective and are used for the treatment of CMV disease in patients with AIDS.

PROPHYLAXIS OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION

⇒ Screening of blood and organ donors and administration of CMV immunoglobulin have been employed in prevention.

⇒ Acyclovir is useful in prophylaxis but not in treatment.

⇒ No vaccine is available.

SAHIL BATRA

Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.