CMV - Immunocompromised Host

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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Cytomegalovirus, also known as CMV, is a virus. Most humans are exposed to this virus in their lifetime, but typically only individuals with weakened immune systems become ill from CMV infection.

The majority of adults have antibodies (an indication of previous infection) to it in their blood by age 40. Usually CMV produces no symptoms. However, serious CMV infections can occur in people with impaired immunity (immunocompromised host), such as those with AIDS, organ transplant and bone marrow transplant recipients, and people receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments.

Infections can include: CMV pneumonia, CMV gastroenteritis, CMV retinitis, and CMV encephalitis, and a mononucleosis-like illness.

Once a person becomes infected, the virus remains alive, but usually dormant, within that person's body for life. Rarely does it cause recurrent disease, unless the person's immune system is suppressed due to therapeutic drugs or disease. Therefore, for the vast majority of people, CMV infection is not a serious problem.

Primary CMV infection in pregnant women can cause harm to the developing fetus. The CDC recommends that women who are pregnant and have never been exposed to CMV should follow the precautions listed below.

• Throughout the pregnancy, practice good personal hygiene. Hand washing with soap and water, especially after contact with diapers or oral secretions (particularly of a child who is in day care), is very important.
• Women who develop a mononucleosis-like illness during pregnancy should be evaluated for CMV infection and counseled about the possible risks to the unborn child.
• Laboratory testing for antibody to CMV can be performed to determine if a woman has already had CMV infection.