Cytomegalovirus News and Research

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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the herpes virus group, which includes herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox), and Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis). Infection with CMV is a major cause of disease and death in immunocompromised patients, including organ transplant recipients, patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with cancer, patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, and HIV-infected patients. While drugs are available for treatment of these conditions, the primary drug choices carry significant side effects and warnings. Currently, there are no anti-CMV drugs indicated for treatment of primary CMV infection during pregnancy resulting in infections that can have catastrophic consequences to the newborn. Maternal-fetal transfer of CMV infection results in a fetal death rate of 12% and most survivors have permanent debilitating disorders, including mental retardation, vision loss, and sensorineural deafness.

Severe COVID-19 reactivates dormant viruses and may leave a lasting viral signature

A longitudinal study of 1,154 hospitalized COVID-19 patients found widespread reactivation of chronic Herpesviridae and Anelloviridae, with distinct viral patterns linked to disease severity, inflammation, and clinical outcomes. Anelloviridae also persisted during convalescence and were associated with physical deficits in long COVID, although the study did not establish causation.

7 Aug 2026

Immune cell changes provide new insights into long COVID

Extreme fatigue, a racing pulse, shortness of breath, brain fog, aching joints-the symptoms of long COVID can vary widely, change unpredictably, and be difficult to even recognize as signs of the condition.

2 Aug 2026

Research reveals how a hidden immune cell army defends human lung tissue

New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) and University of Liverpool (UOL) provides the first comprehensive look at how a hidden immune cell army defends the vast, vulnerable tissue of the human lungs.

28 Jul 2026

Evaxion presents new preclinical data for cytomegalovirus vaccine program EVX-V1

Evaxion A/S (“Evaxion”), a clinical-stage TechBio company developing novel vaccines with its pioneering AI-Immunology™ platform, presents new data further supporting the multi-component concept of its cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine program EVX-V1.

14 Jul 2026

NIH funds University of Minnesota research on congenital cytomegalovirus infection

A University of Minnesota Medical School research team has received a new 5-year, $3.87 million R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate how the immune system protects against congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

23 Jun 2026

Research highlights ongoing TORCH infection risks despite rising vaccination rates

The TORCH complex is a group of pathogens that can cause infections with mild or silent symptoms in an expecting mother, but in a developing fetus can lead to serious complications that include stillbirth, lifelong disability, or birth defects.

8 Jun 2026

Hidden viral reservoirs in tonsils may explain school-year respiratory outbreaks

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil reveals that tissues such as the tonsils and adenoids can serve as hiding places for the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold and is responsible for most respiratory infections worldwide.

17 Apr 2026

Antiviral drugs and shingles vaccines tied to lower dementia risk

New evidence links viral infections to dementia risk, suggesting vaccines and antiviral therapies may offer preventive pathways against cognitive decline.

8 Apr 2026

Mandated cCMV screening improves early identification of infant hearing loss

A new retrospective cohort study examining the impact of Minnesota's first-in-the-nation mandated universal newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) shows that universal screening significantly decreased the age at first audiology visit and increased identification of mild hearing loss in infants.

2 Mar 2026

Study reveals immune traffic controller hijacked by common virus

In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers from Monash University and the Lions Eye Institute have discovered a tissue protein that acts as a central 'traffic controller' for immune cells and can be hijacked by a virus to weaken immune responses.

21 Jan 2026

ICSA 2025: Infection's role in cellular senescence, inflammation, and aging

A new meeting report was published in Volume 17, Issue 12 of Aging-US on December 23, 2025, titled "Cellular senescence meets infection: highlights from the 10th annual International Cell Senescence Association (ICSA) conference, Rome 2025."

8 Jan 2026

Researchers develop antibody to combat HCMV, a common, overlooked virus

Researchers at Texas Biologics have made an important discovery that could improve treatment of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a common but overlooked virus that poses serious risks to vulnerable populations, including people with compromised immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is the most infectious cause of birth defects in the United States.

18 Dec 2025

Young donor age proves critical for survival after stem cell transplantation

The selection of suitable donors is crucial for the long-term recovery of patients after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

21 Nov 2025

Common viruses sharply raise heart attack and stroke risk, major global review shows

In the largest synthesis to date, researchers reviewed 155 studies linking viral infections, including influenza, SARS-CoV-2, HIV, hepatitis C, and shingles, to increased risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. The findings highlight viral infection prevention and vaccination as underappreciated strategies for cardiovascular protection.

30 Oct 2025

Some acute and chronic viral infections linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

In the weeks following a bout of influenza or COVID, the risk of heart attack or stroke may rise dramatically, and chronic infections such as HIV may increase the long-term risk of serious cardiovascular disease events, according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

29 Oct 2025

Purdue researchers develop 30-second vaccine quality tool

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need to rapidly develop, produce and distribute large quantities of new vaccines. A team of researchers at Purdue University and Merck & Co. Inc., known as Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. outside of the U.S. and Canada, has now introduced a new analytical tool that could help pharmaceutical companies boost vaccine production with rapid monitoring and analysis.

29 Oct 2025

Pin1 inhibitors could reduce or stop outbreaks of herpes simplex virus 1

A class of antivirals called Pin1 inhibitors could reduce or stop outbreaks of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), the common infection behind oral herpes, according to new research published in Antiviral Research on July 25.

17 Oct 2025

UCLA team develops engineered antibodies to fight cytomegalovirus infection

A UCLA research team has found a new way to prompt the immune system to kill cells infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), a life-threatening infection that is particularly deadly in immunocompromised people.

13 Sep 2025

GATE complex discovery sheds light on CMV's evasion of immune defenses

New research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and La Jolla Institute for Immunology, published today in Nature Microbiology, reveals an opportunity for developing a therapy against cytomegalovirus (CMV), the leading infectious cause of birth defects in the United States.

30 Jun 2025

Herpes virus infection linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk, study shows antiherpetic drugs may help

A large US case-control study found that people diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Use of antiherpetic medications was associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s in those with HSV-1.

21 May 2025