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Histological study of congenital and acquired cytomegalovirus infection
Abstract:
Of 180 autopsied cases in children, of which 85 infants were less than one month of age, seven cases of cytomegalovirus infection are described here. Two patients died of congenital cytomegalovirus infection with generalized cytomegalic inclusion disease and one of them was associated with leukemoid mononucleosis. Five cases, 2.8 per cent of 180 cases, were acquired cytomegalovirus infection with localized lesions of cytomegalic cells in the lungs, incidentally found at postmortem examination. The youngest case of acquired cytomegalovirus infection was one month of age. These spontaneous pulmonary infectious changes early in life, associated occasionally with cytomegalic cells in the vascular wall, may suggest that the lung is one of the initial sites of the acquired cytomegalovirus infection preceeding viruria or elevation of antibody titer at later period of life.
Insights
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infants can be congenital or acquired. Acquired CMV infection may initially manifest in the lungs before other symptoms appear.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can cause serious illness in infants.
- Congenital CMV infection can lead to severe health problems, including generalized cytomegalic inclusion disease.
- Acquired CMV infection in infants is less understood, particularly its early manifestations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe cases of cytomegalovirus infection in autopsied children.
- To investigate the potential initial site of acquired CMV infection in infants.
- To correlate pulmonary CMV findings with later serological evidence of infection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 180 pediatric autopsies.
- Histopathological examination for cytomegalic cells and inclusion disease.
- Correlation of autopsy findings with clinical data, including age and cause of death.
Main Results:
- Seven cases of CMV infection identified in 180 autopsies.
- Two cases of congenital CMV with generalized cytomegalic inclusion disease.
- Five cases of acquired CMV with incidental pulmonary lesions; youngest was one month old.
Conclusions:
- The lungs may be an initial site for acquired cytomegalovirus infection in infants.
- Pulmonary CMV lesions can precede detectable viruria or antibody titers.
- Early pulmonary changes suggest a potential window for intervention in acquired CMV infection.