title: Expanding role of cytomegalovirus as a human pathogen.
abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients, despite major advancements in preventative strategies. Antiviral prophylaxis and pre-emptive antiviral therapeutic regimens are associated with a high incidence of late-onset end-organ disease and cause drug-related toxicity when overused. Therefore, the identification of risk factors for CMV replication is required. Genetic and immunological factors that predispose individuals to CMV-related clinical complications have been identified and may be instrumental for optimizing CMV treatment in the future. Evidence suggests a causal pathogenetic link between CMV-related complications and inflammatory diseases in non-canonically immunosuppressed individuals such as patients with lung injury and critically ill and cancer patients. However, a randomized clinical trial is required to determine if a causal relationship exists.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Service, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Fundación INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain.|Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Navarro
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D012307:Risk Factors; D066027:Transplant Recipients
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir; D000212:Acyclovir
keywords: T-cell immunity; critically ill patients; cytomegalovirus; glioblastoma multiforme; host genetics; transplant recipients