Human cytomegalovirus infection as a lifelong health problem

Abstract

Infections with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) are widely spread worldwide. A clinical picture of the infection varies and depends on the age of the patient and the condition of the immune system. Rapid dissemination of HCMV is related to the presence of the virus in the peripheral blood cells. The most severe course of the disease is observed in patients with congenital cytomegaly, organ transplant recipients and patients with either acquired or inborn immune deficiencies. Chronic HCMV infection may lead to atherosclerosis and as a consequence, to cardiovascular diseases such as: myocardial ischemia or infarction and hypertension. In addition, the relation between HCMV infection and neoplastic transformation was noticed. Since diagnostic and therapeutic methods are still imperfect, a development of an effective vaccine seems to be of key importance for a significant reduction of the consequences of HCMV infection.