cytomegalovirus

[ sahy-toh-meg-uh-loh-vahy-ruhs ]

noun

, plural cy·to·meg·a·lo·vi·rus·es.

1. a common virus of the herpesvirus family, usually harmless or causing mild colds but capable of producing severe systemic damage in infected newborns and immunosuppressed persons. : CMV

cytomegalovirus

/ ˌsaɪtəʊˈmɛɡələʊˌvaɪrəs /

noun

1. a virus of the herpes virus family that may cause serious disease in patients whose immune systems are compromised CMV

cytomegalovirus

/ sī′tə-mĕg′ə-lō-vī′rəs /

1. Any of a group of herpes viruses of the genus Cytomegalovirus that cause enlargement and abnormal structures in the cell nucleus (known as nuclear inclusions ) in infected cells. Although the virus usually causes minor or no symptoms in normal adults, it is a common cause of opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients and can cause life-threatening congenital infections.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cytomegalovirus¹

1960–65; cytomegal(ia) ( cytomegalic ) + -o- + virus

Example Sentences

Blood that is destined for new babies, immunocompromised patients, pregnant women or to be transfused into a foetus in-uterine must be screened for a virus called cytomegalovirus or CMV.

From BBC

Pigs can carry viruses such as porcine cytomegalovirus, the one that was detected in Bennett, the person who received a pig heart transplant in 2022.

From Scientific American

Developing effective cytomegalovirus vaccines may also help alleviate immune system aging.

From Washington Post

But last month, Bennett’s transplant surgeon said in a webinar that the heart was infected with porcine cytomegalovirus, a virus that doesn’t infect human cells but can damage the organ.

From The Verge

They did not find signs that this bug, called porcine cytomegalovirus, was causing an active infection.

From Seattle Times