​ Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease ( Cytomegalovirus)

​ Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease ( Cytomegalovirus) 
Opportunistic infections are brought on by CMV in organ donation recipients. Direct contact with body fluids (blood, saliva, semen, cervical secretions, breast milk) is how CMV is spread. CMV is widely distributed and remains a latent infection in mononuclear cells for an infinite amount of time following original infection.

CMV causes immunocompetent children and adults to experience a mononucleosis-like illness that is clinically comparable to EBV. In addition to raising the likelihood of graft failure, CMV illness is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. CMV is a frequent opportunistic infection that can cause colitis, encephalopathy, and retinitis in persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The condition known as cytomegalic inclusion disease, which is brought on by congenital CMV infection, is marked by growth retardation, jaundice, petechiae, microcephaly, hepatosplenomegaly, and neurological problems.

The oropharynx is the site of CMV infection, which then spreads to lymphatic tissue and results in viremia, which transmits the virus to the liver, spleen, kidney, and lungs, among other organs. In patients with immunosuppressive conditions, CMV reactivates after remaining dormant in mononuclear cells. Immunity mediated by cells regulates CMV infections.
 
Antigenemia in blood leukocytes, cell culture separation and identification using a CMV-specific antibody, and PCR to measure viral load are the methods used to detect CMV.

 For the treatment of CMV infection, the preferred antiviral medications are ganciclovir and its prodrug valaganciclovir.
For infections resistant to ganciclovir, foscarnet is utilized. There is currently no vaccination to stop CMV infections.