Authors: D Forde M B O’Connor M Murphy A F Majeed
Publish Date: 2010/07/03
Volume: 180, Issue: 3, Pages: 773-775
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus CMV is a member of the herpes virus family with ubiquitous transmission Infection is most often asymptomatic with exceptions being the immunocompromised and those in utero Like other members of the herpesvirus family CMV establishes latent infection after the resolution of acute infection Seroprevalence rates vary between 40 and 60 increasing with age and are inversely proportional to socioeconomic status A syndrome resembling infectious mononucleosis is the most common presentation of symptomatic CMV infection in immunocompetent adults Classic mononucleosis is an illness characterised by significant often protracted fevers and lassitude in the setting of absolute lymphocytosis with atypical lymphocytes The mononucleosis syndrome associated with CMV infection has been described as “typhoidal” in presentation since systemic symptoms and fever predominate and signs of enlarged cervical nodes and splenomegaly are not as commonly seen as they are
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