Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Herpes virus group. It is a double stranded DNA virus and is known as Human Herpes Virus 5 in human hosts. CMV seropositivity is frequent in Western populations with a seroprevalence of 58% being reported in the U.S.1 In Africa, pooled prevalence studies demonstrate rates as high as 81.8% amongst HIV uninfected adults. Amongst the HIV infected population prevalence rates of 81.9% and 94.8% were seen in AIDS and asymptomatic HIV positive patients respectively.2 This is likely a reflection of impaired humoral immunity amongst those with AIDS. In a rural South African cohort, a 100% seroprevalence was demonstrated amongst HIV positive treatment naïve patients with a negative association noted between CD4 counts and IgG titres.3