Cytomegalovirus, also known as Salivary Gland Virus, HHV5, and Herpes Type 5.Encyclopedia Entry for CMV :CMV - gastroenteritis/colitis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes-type virus. It is related to the virus that causes chickenpox. Infection with CMV is very common. It is spread by saliva, urine, respiratory droplets, sexual contact, and blood transfusions. Most people are exposed at some point, but most of the time, the virus produces mild or no symptoms in healthy people. Serious CMV infections can occur in people with weakened immune systems due to: AIDS Chemotherapy treatment for cancer During or after bone marrow or organ transplant Ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease Rarely, serious CMV infection involving the GI tract has occurred in people with a healthy immune system.Gastrointestinal CMV disease may affect one area or the entire body. Ulcers can occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon. These ulcers are associated with symptoms such as: Abdominal pain Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing Nausea Vomiting When the intestines are involved, the ulcers may cause: Abdominal pain Bloody stools Diarrhea Fever Weight loss More severe infections can result in gastrointestinal bleeding or a hole through the wall of the bowel.Tests that may be done include: Barium enema Colonoscopy Upper endoscopy (EGD) Stool culture to rule out other causes of infection Upper GI and small bowel series Laboratory tests will be done on a sample of tissue taken from your stomach or intestine. The tests, such as a gastric or intestinal tissue culture or biopsy, determine if the virus is in the tissue. A CMV serology test is done to look for antibodies to the CMV virus in your blood. Another blood test that looks for the presence and number of virus particles in the blood can also be done.Treatment is meant to control the infection and relieve symptoms. Medicines to fight the virus (antiviral medicines) are prescribed. The medicines may be given through a vein (IV), and sometimes by mouth, for several weeks. The most commonly used medicines are ganciclovir and valganciclovir, and foscarnet. In some cases, long-term therapy may be needed. A medicine called CMV hyperimmune globulin may be used when other drugs don't work. Other medicines may include: Drugs to prevent or reduce diarrhea Painkillers (analgesics) Nutritional supplements or nutrition given through a vein (IV) may be used to treat muscle loss due to the disease.In people with a healthy immune system, symptoms go away without treatment in most cases. Symptoms are more severe in those with a weakened immune system. The outcome depends on how severe the immune system deficiency and the CMV infection are. People with AIDS may have a worse outcome than those with a weakened immune system due to another reason. CMV infection typically affects the entire body, even if only gastrointestinal symptoms are present. How well a person does depends on how well the antiviral drugs work.The drugs used to fight the virus may cause side effects. The type of side effect depends on the specific drug used. For example, the drug ganciclovir may lower your white blood cell count. Another drug, foscarnet, may lead to kidney problems.Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of CMV gastroenteritis/colitis.There is a high risk of CMV infection in people who receive an organ transplant from a CMV-positive donor. Taking the antiviral drugs ganciclovir (Cytovene) and valganciclovir (Valcyte) by mouth before the transplant can lower your chance of getting a new infection or reactivating an old infection. People with AIDS who are effectively treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy are much less likely to get a CMV infection.Colitis - cytomegalovirus; Gastroenteritis - cytomegalovirus; Gastrointestinal CMV disease.Gastrointestinal anatomy Gastrointestinal anatomy Stomach and stomach lining Stomach and stomach lining CMV (cytomegalovirus) CMV (cytomegalovirus).Crumpacker CS. Cytomegalovirus (CMV).Encyclopedia Entry for CMV :CMV blood test. A blood sample is needed.There is no special preparation for the test.When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.The test is performed to detect current active CMV infection , or past CMV infection in people who are at risk of reactivation of infection (such as organ transplant recipients and people with a suppressed immune system). The test may also be performed to detect CMV infection in newborns.People who have never been infected with CMV have no detectable antibodies to CMV. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results.The presence of antibodies to CMV indicates a current or past infection with CMV. If the number of antibodies (called the antibody titer) rises over a few weeks, it may mean that you have a current or recent infection. Long-term (chronic) CMV infection (in which the antibody count stays about the same over time) can reactivate in a person with a suppressed immune system.Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).To detect a blood or organ infection with CMV, the provider can test for the presence of CMV itself in the blood or a specific organ.CMV antibody tests.Blood test Blood test.Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Cytomegalovirus antibody serum.Encyclopedia Entry for CMV :CMV pneumonia. CMV pneumonia is caused by a member of a group of herpes-type viruses. Infection with CMV is very common. Most people are exposed to CMV in their lifetime, but typically only those with weakened immune systems become ill from CMV infection. Serious CMV infections can occur in people with weakened immune systems as a result of: HIV/AIDS Bone marrow transplant Chemotherapy or other treatments that suppress the immune system Organ transplant In people who have had organ and bone marrow transplants, the risk for infection is greatest 5 to 13 weeks after the transplant.In otherwise healthy people, CMV usually produces no symptoms, or it produces a temporary mononucleosis-type illness. However, those with a weakened immune system can develop serious symptoms. Symptoms may include: Cough Fatigue Fever General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling ( malaise ) Loss of appetite Muscle aches or joint pains Shortness of breath Sweating, excessive (night sweats).The health care provider will perform a physical exam. In addition, the following tests may be done: Arterial blood gas Blood culture Blood tests to detect and measure substances specific to CMV infection Bronchoscopy (may include biopsy ) Chest x-ray CT scan of chest Urine culture (clean catch) Sputum gram stain and culture.The goal of treatment is to use antiviral drugs to stop the virus from copying itself in the body. Some people with CMV pneumonia need IV (intravenous) medicines. Some people may need oxygen therapy and breathing support with a ventilator to maintain oxygen until the infection is brought under control.Antiviral drugs stop the virus from copying itself, but do not destroy it. The CMV suppresses the immune system, and may increase your risk for other infections. Low oxygen level in the blood of people with CMV pneumonia often predicts death, especially in those who need to be placed on a breathing machine.Complications of CMV infection in people with HIV/AIDS include spread of disease to other parts of the body, such as the esophagus, intestine, or eye. Complications of CMV pneumonia include: Kidney impairment (from drugs used to treat the condition) Low white blood cell count (from drugs used to treat the condition) Overwhelming infection that doesn't respond to treatment Resistance of CMV to standard treatment.Call your provider if you have symptoms of CMV pneumonia.The following have been shown to help prevent CMV pneumonia in certain people: Using organ transplant donors who don't have CMV Using CMV-negative blood products for transfusion Using CMV-immune globulin in certain people Preventing HIV/AIDS avoids certain other diseases, including CMV, that can occur in people who have a weakened immune system.Pneumonia - cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus pneumonia; Viral pneumonia.Pneumonia in adults - discharge.CMV pneumonia CMV pneumonia CMV (cytomegalovirus) CMV (cytomegalovirus).Crothers K, Morris A, Huang L. Pulmonary complications of HIV infection.Encyclopedia Entry for CMV :CMV retinitis. CMV retinitis is caused by a member of a group of herpes-type viruses. Infection with CMV is very common. Most people are exposed to CMV in their lifetime, but typically only those with weakened immune systems become ill from CMV infection. Serious CMV infections can occur in people who have weakened immune systems as a result of: HIV/AIDS Bone marrow transplant Chemotherapy Drugs that suppress the immune system Organ transplant.Some people with CMV retinitis have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may include: Blind spots Blurred vision and other vision problems Floaters Retinitis usually begins in one eye, but often progresses to the other eye. Without treatment, damage to the retina can lead to blindness in 4 to 6 months or less.CMV retinitis is diagnosed through an ophthalmologic exam. Dilation of the pupils and ophthalmoscopy will show signs of CMV retinitis. CMV infection can be diagnosed with blood or urine tests that look for substances specific to the infection. A tissue biopsy can detect the viral infection and presence of CMV virus particles, but this is rarely done.The goal of treatment is to stabilize or restore vision and prevent blindness. Long-term treatment is often needed. Medicines may be given by mouth (orally), through a vein (intravenously), or injected directly into the eye (intravitreously).Even with treatment, the disease can worsen to blindness. This progression may be because the virus becomes resistant to the antiviral drugs so that the drugs are no longer effective, or because the person's immune system has deteriorated further. CMV retinitis may also lead to retinal detachment , in which the retina detaches from the back of the eye, causing blindness.Complications that may result include: Kidney impairment (from drugs used to treat the condition) Low white blood cell count (from drugs used to treat the condition).If symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop, call your health care provider. People with HIV/AIDS (especially those with a very low CD4 count) who have vision problems should make an appointment right away for an eye exam.A CMV infection usually only causes symptoms in people with a weakened immune system. Certain medicines (like cancer therapy) and diseases (such as HIV/AIDS) can cause a weakened immune system. People with AIDS who have a CD4 count of less than 250 cells/microliter or 250 cells/cubic millimeter should be examined regularly for this condition, even if they do not have symptoms. If you had CMV retinitis in the past, ask your provider if you need treatment to prevent its return.Cytomegalovirus retinitis.Eye Eye CMV retinitis CMV retinitis CMV (cytomegalovirus) CMV (cytomegalovirus).Crumpacker CS. Cytomegalovirus (CMV).