Cytomegalovirus (cytomegalovirus; CMV) is a DNA virus of the herpes family. Also known as human herpes virus 5 (HHV5). It contains a double-strand linear DNA genome, approximately 230 kilobases in length.
Epidemiology
Infection with this virus is commonly seen in 65% in the 40-49 age range, and 91% in the 80 and older age group. Congenital infection with CMV is an important health problem in developed countries and is the most common congenital viral infection. It is responsible for various neurodevelopmental changes in sensory hearing loss. It occurs in 1% of all live births and causes life-threatening severe conditions in 10% of all live births. On the other hand, in symptomatic CMV infection, the morbidity rate is 90-95%, while the mortality rate is 4-37%.
Transmission
CMV infection can also be transmitted by body fluids such as urine, saliva, blood, tears, sexual contact, pleural contact and breast milk, as well as by organs and blood that are transplanted. Transmission of the virus can often be prevented because the most common form of contamination is contact with infected body fluids, and the risk of contamination is avoided if hands are washed with soap after contact. The most common form of transmission of HCMV is from the mother to her child in the uterus or perinatal phase (during labor).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis and monitoring of CMV infections; ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay), pp65 antigen test can be performed with viral cultures and nucleic acid assays. Methods based on antibody detection are insufficient to determine virus titer, whereas viral cultures have moderate sensitivity and take long periods. The CMV-DNA real-time PCR test, which directly detects the DNA of the virus, provides high-precision, fast and specific results.
