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]

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.

Last updated: March 5, 2022