Cytomegalovirus

Abstract

This chapter focuses on human cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a member of the herpesvirus family that only replicates in humans. It traces the past and recent CMV infection that is marked by presence in serum of immunoglobulin G antibody (IgG) against CMV. It also looks at the proportion of people having CMV IgG that varies according to age, socioeconomic status, sexual activity/practice, and race/ethnicity. The chapter emphasizes on CMV as the leading infectious cause of birth defects and the most common non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss. It cites pre-existing immunity to CMV in healthy people that does not fully protect from re-infection with a different CMV strain.