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Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection - Overview

Alternative Names

CMV mononucleosis; Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Definition of Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection:

Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a condition caused by a member of the herpesvirus family.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Mononucleosis can be caused by several different viruses and a few types of bacteria. Unlike the more common form of mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), acute CMV infection is caused by cytomegalovirus.

In most people with a normal immune system, CMV infection does not cause any symptoms. But some people with this infection develop a "mononucleosis syndrome."

The infection is spread by:

Blood transfusions
Respiratory droplets
Saliva
Sexual contact
Urine

Some young children release the virus in their urine for a long period of time, even when they do not have symptoms. CMV infection may occur at any age. It most commonly develops between ages 10 - 35.

Most people are exposed to CMV early in life and do not realize it because they have no symptoms. People with a compromised immune system can have a more severe form of the disease.

Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cells

Infectious mononucleosis #3

Infectious mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, photomicrograph of cell

Mononucleosis - mouth

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 9/17/2008
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine. University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Crumpacker CS, Wadhwa S. Cytomegalovirus. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005: chap 134.

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