Cytomegalovirus

MICROBIOLOGY

• A ubiquitous, large, enveloped dsDNA beta-herpesvirus that establishes lifelong latency after primary infection and exhibits significant genotypic diversity.[4]
• Cultured from urine, blood, throat, tears, stool, cervix, semen, and breast milk.
• Exhibits slow growth in cell culture.
  • Detection of cytopathic effect in tissue culture can take up to 6 weeks and is characterized by large cells with nuclear (Cowdry owl’s eye) and cytoplasmic inclusions.
• Isolation of the virus or detection of viral proteins or nucleic acid defines CMV infection.[16]
• Presence of signs/symptoms of end-organ disease + CMV infection = CMV disease.[2]