CMVspredning

CMVspredning refers to the transmission patterns and epidemiology of cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is a common herpesvirus. Most CMV infections are asymptomatic, but the virus can cause clinically relevant disease in certain groups, particularly pregnant people and immunocompromised individuals, and it can be transmitted from a mother to her fetus.

Transmission occurs mainly through contact with bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, blood, breast milk, sexual fluids, and through organ transplantation or blood transfusions. Primary CMV infection during pregnancy poses the highest risk for fetal infection, although reactivation or reinfection in a seropositive mother can also lead to fetal transmission.

Congenital CMV is the most frequent congenital infection and a leading non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Worldwide prevalence is about 0.5–1% of live births. Most infected newborns are asymptomatic at birth; around 10–15% show clinical symptoms such as jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, microcephaly, or petechiae. Long-term effects may include hearing loss and neurodevelopmental impairment. Diagnosis of congenital CMV is typically made by detecting CMV DNA in the infant’s urine or saliva within the first weeks of life; prenatal diagnosis is possible via CMV testing of amniotic fluid.

In immunocompromised individuals, CMV can cause severe disease affecting the retina, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver, and other organs. This is a particular concern for organ transplant recipients and people with advanced HIV/AIDS.

Prevention relies on hygiene measures to reduce transmission, especially to pregnant women with young children. There is no widely approved CMV vaccine as of now. Antiviral therapies (such as valganciclovir or ganciclovir) are used for certain CMV-related conditions, including congenital CMV with symptomatic disease and CMV in immunocompromised patients.