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.

Researchers gain insight into possible origins of 'ancient' immunological memory

Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system. Their role is to detect virus-infected cells and destroy them.

4 Jun 2019

CU Anschutz researchers identify new immunodeficiency disease

A new immunodeficiency disease caused by a novel genetic mutation has been identified by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus providing unique insights into cell biology.

6 May 2019

Arc Bio introduces Galileo Pathogen Solution product line at ASM Clinical Virology Symposium

Arc Bio today launched its Galileo Pathogen Solution product line at the ASM Clinical Virology Symposium in Savannah.

From Arc Bio, LLC 2 May 2019

Study describes new viral molecular evasion mechanism used by cytomegalovirus

A study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens describes a new viral molecular evasion mechanism used by cytomegalovirus to interfere in the immune response of the infected host.

30 Apr 2019

Arc Bio launches unique NGS-based metagenomics platform for pathogen detection

Arc Bio today revealed the second offering in its Galileo product line: a comprehensive next-generation sequencing test for the monitoring of post-transplant patients.

12 Apr 2019

German Research Foundation recently approves new research unit

"Cytomegalovirus, beware of this new research group!" This could be the motto of a new research unit recently approved by the German Research Foundation. It is titled: "Advanced concepts in cellular control of cytomegalovirus ".

11 Apr 2019

Study reveals immune evasion strategy developed by cytomegaloviruses

Owl monkey cytomegalovirus produces a decoy molecule A43 to evade detection and destruction by immune cells in their hosts, according to a study published April 4 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Ana Angulo of the University of Barcelona, and colleagues.

8 Apr 2019

Study finds link between common virus and faster disease progression in cystic fibrosis

A new study has found that cystic fibrosis patients who have a common virus may experience faster disease progression than patients who do not have the virus. Signs of faster cystic fibrosis disease progression included earlier times to lung transplant referral and reaching the final stages of the disease.

8 Apr 2019

New HIV drug that is like a "Swiss Army knife of immunotherapies"

HIV is a tricky virus that causes a unique phenomenon where the virus hides within the immune cells of patients when they are on treatment with the antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs. When they are off the drugs, the virus comes back.

7 Apr 2019

New all-in-one immunotherapy approach kicks out hiding HIV and also kills it

In a first on the quest to cure HIV, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health scientists report today in EBioMedicine that they've developed an all-in-one immunotherapy approach that not only kicks HIV out of hiding in the immune system, but also kills it.

4 Apr 2019

CMV airway infection enlarges spectrum of environmental allergens

Cytomegalovirus infection can convert a harmless, inhaled protein antigen into an allergen, according to a study published March 7 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Rafaela Holtappels from the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, and colleagues.

8 Mar 2019

Mother's treatment for infection during pregnancy increases child's risk for autism and depression

Risks for autism and depression are higher if one's mother was in hospital with an infection during pregnancy. This is shown by a major Swedish observational study of nearly 1.8 million children.

8 Mar 2019

Up-to-date guidance for clinicians to treat HIV-related cardiovascular disease

Since the advent of effective antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus infection has become more like a chronic illness.

5 Mar 2019

Using TGS technology to make the perfect match even better for stem cell transplant recipients

At Anthony Nolan we save the lives of people with blood cancers and blood disorders that need a stem cell transplant.

4 Mar 2019

Mother's dengue immunity influences the severity of Zika infection in infants

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School and their colleagues have identified a surprising interaction between dengue and Zika viruses that sheds lights on the significant fetal brain abnormalities linked to Zika virus.

1 Mar 2019

Researchers engineer 'antibody-like' T cell receptors to combat deadly virus

Researchers have engineered "antibody-like" T cell receptors that can specifically stick to cells infected with cytomegalovirus, or CMV, a virus that causes lifelong infection in more than half of all adults by age 40.

23 Feb 2019

CMV vaccine provides a new way to fight malaria

Early research on a new approach to protecting against malaria is offering promising, potentially long-lasting results against the persistent parasite that sickens hundreds of millions people each year.

24 Jan 2019

New analytic method can precisely detect viral infections using immune responses

Cytomegalovirus is widespread and remains in the body for a lifetime after infection. In healthy individuals, this virus is usually kept in check but can become dangerous when the immune system is weakened or during pregnancy.

8 Jan 2019

Discovery could be used to prevent viral infection and autoimmunity

Researchers have discovered that chemical changes to mRNA regulate the production of interferon beta, and hope to exploit this in new treatments.

27 Nov 2018

Takeda presents vedolizumab phase 3 VISIBLE 1 trial results for treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced results from the phase 3 VISIBLE 1 clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of an investigational subcutaneous formulation of the gut-selective biologic vedolizumab for maintenance therapy in adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis who achieved clinical response* at week 6 following two doses of open-label vedolizumab intravenous induction therapy.

22 Oct 2018