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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
05:53

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

Human cytomegalovirus infection in infants with prolonged neonatal jaundice

D Goedhals1, J Kriel, M L Hertzog

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339 (G23), Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. gnvrdg.md@ufs.ac.za

Journal of Clinical Virology : the Official Publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
|July 16, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) hepatitis is uncommon in infants with prolonged neonatal jaundice. While widespread HCMV infection occurs in infants, it rarely causes liver disease in this context.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Virology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Prolonged neonatal jaundice can stem from diverse causes.
  • Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a potential, though unclear, contributor to infant liver disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of HCMV in infants experiencing prolonged cholestatic neonatal jaundice.
  • To inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HCMV-related neonatal conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Liver biopsy specimens from 85 infants with prolonged jaundice were analyzed using HCMV immunohistochemical staining.
  • HCMV serology (IgG and IgM) was conducted on a subset of infants.

Main Results:

  • Only one infant showed histological evidence of HCMV hepatitis confirmed by immunohistochemistry.
  • HCMV IgG antibodies were prevalent (92.3%), and IgM antibodies were detected in 39.7% of infants.

Conclusions:

  • HCMV infection is widespread in infants, with many primary infections occurring in the first year of life.
  • HCMV-induced hepatitis appears to be an infrequent cause of prolonged neonatal jaundice in this cohort.

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