Medical Diagnosis Exams

Cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes virus family, is ubiquitous in all human populations, causing infections which are followed by life-long latency in the host with occasional reactivations as well as recurrent infections. Transmission of infection requires intimate contact with infected excretions such as saliva, urine, cervical and vaginal excretions, semen, breast milk and blood. CMV infections are usually mild and asymptomatic.

However, primary maternal CMV infection during pregnancy carries a high risk of intrauterine transmission which may result in severe fetal damage, including growth and mental retardation, jaundice and CNS abnormalities.

Those who are asymptomatic at birth may develop hearing defects or learning disabilities later in life. Serologic testing is used to assess the serological status of an individual and is indicative for an acute or past infection.