CMV pneumonia

Alternative names:

pneumonia - cytomegalovirus; cytomegalovirus pneumonia

Definition:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of a group of large herpes-type viruses that can cause an infection of the lungs in immune-suppressed persons. This infection is particularly common in bone marrow transplant recipients.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Infection with CMV is very common. Eighty percent of healthy adults have antibodies (an indication of previous infection) to CMV in their blood. Usually CMV produces no symptoms, but serious CMV infections can occur in people with impaired immunity, such as those with AIDS, organ transplant and bone marrow transplant recipients, and people receiving chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments.

CMV disease is a common complication of organ transplantation. CMV pneumonia occurs in 20% of bone marrow transplant recipients. Risk of infection is greatest between 5 to 13 weeks after transplantation.

Complications of CMV infection in individuals with AIDS include an infectious mononucleosis-like illness (CMV mononucleosis), CMV pneumonia, inflammation of the retina (CMV retinitis) and intestinal disease. In addition, CMV may increase the replication of HIV in infected individuals.

CMV pneumonia is associated with fever, a non-productive cough and shortness of breath (dyspnea). CMV pneumonia is often present simultaneously with pneumocystis pneumonia. Decreased oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia) in association with CMV pneumonia often predicts a fatal outcome.

Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial