title: Neuropathogenesis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: disease mechanisms and prospects for intervention.
abstract: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading infectious cause of mental retardation and hearing loss in the developed world. In recent years, there has been an improved understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and long-term disabilities associated with CMV infection. In this review, current concepts regarding the pathogenesis of neurological injury caused by CMV infections acquired by the developing fetus are summarized. The pathogenesis of CMV-induced disabilities is considered in the context of the epidemiology of CMV infection in pregnant women and newborn infants, and the clinical manifestations of brain injury are reviewed. The prospects for intervention, including antiviral therapies and vaccines, are summarized. Priorities for future research are suggested to improve the understanding of this common and disabling illness of infancy.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine, Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Translational Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Maxim C-J
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cheeran
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lokensgard
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Schleiss
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D022482:Cytomegalovirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D022482:Cytomegalovirus Vaccines