The modern view of congenital Сytomegalovirus infection

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI) ranks first among congenital infections, making contribution significantly to the variety of congenital defects formation. The review describes in details the pathogenic mechanisms of the virus effects on the fetus and newborn. Congenital CMVI develops as a result of infection of the mother with the virus or its reactivation, causing an active infection. CMV is pantropic. Infected cells acquire the characteristic appearance of an «owl’s eye» due to a 3—4-fold increase in size, and the cytoplasm is visualized only in the form of a thin strip due to the large diameter of the nucleus. With a congenital CMV infection, the virus itself, its DNA or antigens is detected in biological media up to 14—21 days of life. The manifest and asymptomatic form of infection is distinguished.Attention is drawn to the various clinical findings and long-term outcomes of the infection. When the fetus is infected in the early stages of pregnancy, various malformations of the central nervous system, cardiovascular, kidneys, etc. are formed. When infected in the late stages of pregnancy, a variety of diseases and pathological conditions are revealed in newborns. In 40—90% of newborns with manifest CMVI, there are long-term neurological consequences and hearing loss, as well as damage to the organ of vision.