CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CM¸ HUMAN HERPESVIRUS 5)

a herpesvirus. CMV infection often occurs in healthy individuals without causing symptoms. In immunocompromised individuals (usually at D4 counts below 50 cells/mm3), CMV may cause serious illness including retinitis (inflammation of the retina), pneumonia, colitis (inflammation of the large bowel) and encephalitis. CMV infection of a pregnant woman may lead to congenital abnormalities in the newborn. CMV may be treated with ganciclovir, foscarnet or cidofovir.