Expanding role of cytomegalovirus as a human pathogen.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, despite major advancements in preventative strategies. Antiviral prophylaxis and pre-emptive antiviral therapeutic regimens are associated with a high incidence of late-onset end-organ disease and cause drug-related toxicity when overused. Therefore, the identification of risk factors for CMV replication is required. Genetic and immunological factors that predispose individuals to CMV-related clinical complications have been identified and may be instrumental for optimizing CMV treatment in the future. Evidence suggests a causal pathogenetic link between CMV-related complications and inflammatory diseases in non-canonically immunosuppressed individuals such as patients with lung injury and critically ill and cancer patients. However, a randomized clinical trial is required to determine if a causal relationship exists.
['Navarro|David|D|']
D000212:Acyclovir D000998:Antiviral Agents D003587:Cytomegalovirus D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections D015774:Ganciclovir D006801:Humans D016867:Immunocompromised Host D012307:Risk Factors D066027:Transplant Recipients
cytomegalovirus transplant recipients T-cell immunity critically ill patients glioblastoma multiforme host genetics