Cytomegalovirus infection primary prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Kuchkuntla, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Regular hand washing is a commonly recommended step to decrease the spread of infections and healthcare providers should follow standard precautions to prevent nosocomial transmission.

Primary Prevention

Regular hand washing is a commonly recommended step to decrease the spread of infections, and may reduce exposures to CMV.
Healthcare providers should follow standard precautions to prevent nosocomial transmission.
HAART therapy must be initiated in patients diagnosed with HIV infection and the CD4 count must be maintained above 100cells/mm ³.
Vaccines against CMV are still in the research and development stage.

Prevention in patients with organ transplant

Immunologic monitoring can be used as an adjunct to predict risk of viremia and disease. Immunologic monitoring involves the assessment of interferon gamma response of the mononuclear cells to the CMV antigens.^[1]
Hypogammaglobinemia is common after organ transplantation. Regular monitoring of the immunoglobulin levels can be done but is not routinely recommended.
Vaccination against CMV is still in the research and development stage.
Prophylaxis with antiviral medications such as ganciclovir and valganciclovir.

References

↑ Kotton CN, Kumar D, Caliendo AM, Asberg A, Chou S, Danziger-Isakov L; et al. (2013). “Updated international consensus guidelines on the management of cytomegalovirus in solid-organ transplantation”. Transplantation. 96 (4): 333–60. doi:10.1097/TP.0b013e31829df29d. PMID 23896556.

[pmid23896556-1] Kotton CN, Kumar D, Caliendo AM, Asberg A, Chou S, Danziger-Isakov L; et al. (2013). “Updated international consensus guidelines on the management of cytomegalovirus in solid-organ transplantation”. Transplantation. 96 (4): 333–60. doi:10.1097/TP.0b013e31829df29d. PMID 23896556.

[1]