Definition of CMV - pneumonia:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can occur in people who have a suppressed immune system.

See also:

• CMV esophagitis
• CMV gastroenteritis
• CMV retinitis
• Cytomegalovirus - immunocompromised host
• Congenital cytomegalovirus

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

CMV pneumonia is caused by a member of a group of herpes-type viruses. Infection with CMV is very common. Most healthy adults have antibodies (indicating previous infection) to CMV in their blood.

Usually CMV produces no symptoms, but serious CMV infections can occur in people with impaired immunity from conditions such as:

• AIDS
• Bone marrow transplant
• Organ transplant
• Chemotherapy or other treatments that suppress the immune system

In people who have had organ and bone marrow transplants, the risk of infection is greatest 5 - 13 weeks after the transplant.