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Related Experiment Videos

Cytomegaloviruses: a Historical Perspective.

Thomas H Weller1

  • 1Richard Pearson Strong Professor of Tropical Public Health, Emeritus, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Herpes : the Journal of the IHMF
|February 28, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Cytomegaloviruses (CMV) cause cell enlargement and were initially mistaken for protozoa. Later research identified CMV as a virus, revealing its transmission routes and significant health impacts, especially in newborns and the immunocompromised.

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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Pathology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cytomegaloviruses (CMV) cause characteristic cellular changes, including enlarged cells and prominent nuclei.
  • Initially misclassified as protozoa, the viral nature of CMV was established in the 20th century.
  • Antigenic heterogeneity among isolates led to the formal naming of cytomegaloviruses (CMV).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical understanding and evolving clinical significance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections.
  • To highlight the spectrum of CMV disease, from congenital defects to adult and immunocompromised patient outcomes.
  • To detail the discovery and recognition of CMV as a significant human pathogen.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of pathological descriptions and etiological investigations of cytomegaloviruses.
  • Analysis of clinical studies focusing on congenital, asymptomatic, and transfusion-associated CMV infections.
  • Examination of research identifying CMV's role in immunocompromised individuals.

Main Results:

  • Congenital CMV infection can lead to neurological defects and, in asymptomatic cases, subsequent deafness.
  • CMV is shed in urine, facilitating rapid spread in settings like day-care centers.
  • Adult CMV infections can manifest as mononucleosis, sometimes post-transfusion, and pose serious risks to the immunosuppressed.

Conclusions:

  • CMV is a significant viral pathogen with a broad clinical spectrum.
  • Understanding CMV transmission and pathogenesis is crucial for managing congenital and acquired infections.
  • CMV poses a substantial threat to immunocompromised individuals, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality.

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