Neuropathogenesis of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Disease Mechanisms and Prospects for Intervention

Overview

Journal Clin Microbiol Rev

Publisher American Society for Microbiology

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2009 Jan 13

PMID 19136436

Citations 212

Authors

Maxim C-J Cheeran

James R Lokensgard

Mark R Schleiss

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading infectious cause of mental retardation and hearing loss in the developed world. In recent years, there has been an improved understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and long-term disabilities associated with CMV infection. In this review, current concepts regarding the pathogenesis of neurological injury caused by CMV infections acquired by the developing fetus are summarized. The pathogenesis of CMV-induced disabilities is considered in the context of the epidemiology of CMV infection in pregnant women and newborn infants, and the clinical manifestations of brain injury are reviewed. The prospects for intervention, including antiviral therapies and vaccines, are summarized. Priorities for future research are suggested to improve the understanding of this common and disabling illness of infancy.

Citing Articles

Postnatal cytomegalovirus infection and its effect on hearing and neurodevelopmental outcomes among infants aged 3-10 months: A cohort study in Eastern Uganda.

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Rhesus Cytomegalovirus-encoded Fcγ-binding glycoproteins facilitate viral evasion from IgG-mediated humoral immunity.

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Immune responses drive chorioretinitis and retinal pathology after neonatal CMV infection.

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