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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus from the Herpesviridae family. Varicella virus, herpes simplex virus and mononucleosis virus also belong to this family. According to statistics, about 60-80% of the adult population had contact with cytomegalovirus infection.
How is cytomegalovirus transmitted?
The virus is often transmitted from person to person through direct contact with saliva (airborne), blood, semen, urine, and other secretions. Cytomegalovirus can also be transmitted through breast milk, transplanted organs, through blood from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
What are the symptoms of cytomegalovirus?
In most cases, cytomegalovirus infection is asymptomatic in people with a normal immune system, but it can be very dangerous during pregnancy.People who do develop some symptoms may notice a high temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle pain, and increased fatigue.
If a woman becomes infected during pregnancy, there is a high probability that the virus can be transmitted to the fetus. In this case, we are talking about congenital cytomegalovirus infection. 90% of babies infected with the virus before birth are born without symptoms of the virus. However, the remaining 10% may suffer from disorders such as deafness, blindness, physical and mental disabilities (mental retardation) and even death.
Antibodies to the infectious agent: how to evaluate?
Our body constantly produces special proteins – antibodies (immunoglobulins) in response to contact with various infectious agents. This is important in order to quickly identify them and protect our body. The international designation of immunoglobulins is Ig. The Latin letter after Ig denotes the antibody class. For diagnosis cytomegalovirus we evaluate Ig M and Ig G.
- Ig M is our “ambulance”. Their level increases immediately after contact with the pathogen, reaches its peak within 1-4 weeks, then decreases over several months.
- IgG is our long-term protection. These immunoglobulins appear later, no earlier than 2 weeks after the onset of the disease. The level of IgG increases gradually, although remains for a long time.
To detect CMV, you should use the TORCH panel to determine the level of Ig M, IgG antibodies to pathogens in the blood. It is better to carry out the examination at least 2-3 months before planning a pregnancy.
The presence of the causative agent and the duration of the disease are evaluated by the class of Ig, which is determined in the blood (Ig M or IgG):
- Ig M (+) IgG (-) – primary infection
- Ig M (+) IgG (+) – exacerbation of chronic infection
- Ig M (-) IgG (+) – carrier outside of exacerbation
- Ig M (-) IgG (-) – the organism had no contact with the pathogen at all.
It is important that the antibodies of the Ig M class make it possible to diagnose an acute form of the disease or an exacerbation of a chronic infection even without any symptoms of the disease. At the same time, it is important to remember that there are cross-immunological reactions of the body (cases when CMV Ig M is false positive (+) in the presence of another viral pathogen in the blood). Although such situations are quite rare.If CMV Ig M (+) is detected in the blood test, a CMV PCR test to detect DNA and its titer in the body, general blood test, IgG avidity and consult a doctor should be performed.
At this time, pregnancy planning should be postponed. An increase in the level of IgG indicates that the body has already encountered this infection and is ready to repel repeated attacks of this pathogen. An isolated detection of IgG without an increase in Ig M testifies that you and your baby are not at risk. You can get pregnant.
Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection
There is no specific treatment for CMV, nor are there any vaccines that can be given to prevent infection. In the presence of symptoms and confirmation of the presence of the causative agent, treatment is usually carried out as in SARS.Antiviral treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor for people who are in the risk group with weakened immunity and pregnancy.
But responsible preparation for pregnancy planning, determination of TORCH indicators, strengthening of the immune and endocrine system at the stage of pregnancy planning is important.
Our goal is to avoid the possibility of transmission of CMV to the embryo and fetus, prevention of possible complications during pregnancy, birth of healthy children in families.