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.

Transplant recipients benefit from a COVID-19 vaccine booster

A new preprint research paper posted to the medRxiv* server describes the reduction in humoral immunity in SOTR following vaccination, as well as the improvement with an additional dose of the vaccine.

4 Jan 2022

Cochlear implantation provides benefits for deaf children with autism spectrum disorder

Restoring hearing through cochlear implantation for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can help them understand spoken language and enhance social interactions, according to a study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

23 Dec 2021

ACTG announces the launch of clinical trial to evaluate new CMV vaccine in adults

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), the largest global HIV research network, today announced the launch of A5355, a clinical trial studying a new cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine in adults with both HIV and CMV.

16 Dec 2021

In-depth analysis of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells in unexposed individuals

A new study aimed to analyze SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cells in unexposed individuals.

2 Dec 2021

An antiviral regimen based on biomimetic polymers for COVID-19

In a new study published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, scientists proposed the aforementioned mechanism of action (MOA) and have validated it using electron photomicrographs of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), which were incubated with a nanoviricide.

30 Nov 2021

Cytomegalovirus herpesvirus can accelerate the decline of the immune system, study finds

A research team at the University of Córdoba is studying the alterations that occur in the immune system's T lymphocytes with respect to age and in relation to the cytomegalovirus herpesvirus.

29 Nov 2021

New evidence that SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect the inner ear

Many Covid-19 patients have reported symptoms affecting the ears, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Dizziness and balance problems can also occur, suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be able to infect the inner ear.

29 Oct 2021

Study shows immune profile heterogeneity amongst healthy adults

Researchers opted to use single-cell RNA-seq to observe single cells in detail as they encounter a specific antigen.

22 Oct 2021

Novel Einstein-developed strategy successfully suppresses HIV infections in mice

Armed with a novel strategy they developed for bolstering the body's immune response, scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have successfully suppressed HIV infections in mice-;offering a path to a functional cure for HIV and other chronic viral infections.

21 Oct 2021

Research on twins indicates strong genetic influences in COVID-19

A new study discusses the strong possibility of multifactorial causation for SARS-CoV-2 infection using data from twin studies.

6 Oct 2021

A new synthetic multiantigen MVA vaccine COH04S1 effective against SARS-CoV-2

A new study utilized MVA to develop vaccine candidates that were subsequently evaluated in animal models of congenital cytomegalovirus disease.

19 Sep 2021

Saliva test to screen for leading infectious cause of infant hearing loss was feasible and well-received

A saliva test taken by parents to screen for the leading infectious cause of hearing loss in babies was feasible and well-received, according to a new study.

15 Sep 2021

The tale of mRNA vaccines: Turning calamity into opportunity

In a review paper published in the journal Nature Reviews, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania have described the underlying technologies for mRNA vaccines and their future prospects with improved delivery systems and applications in diseases beyond the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

31 Aug 2021

A systematic review of in vitro studies evaluating the efficacy of mouth rinses on SARS-CoV-2

A new study aims to evaluate the current body of published in vitro research related to the efficacy of mouthwashes in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

20 Aug 2021

Study reveals cellular basis of antigen-specific response to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine

Researchers in the United States have provided important insights into the antigen-specific cellular response and evolving humoral (antibody) response to messenger RNA- (mRNA) based vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

29 Jul 2021

Llama ‘nanobodies’ have the potential to outwit human cytomegalovirus

Scientists have developed a 'nanobody' - a small fragment of a llama antibody - that is capable of chasing out human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as it hides away from the immune system.

22 Jul 2021

Metabolomics: The Individual Metabolic Profile is the Key to Personalized Medicine

The study of these unique substances in each of us paves the way for a revolution in the treatment and prevention of diseases, allowing for early diagnosis and increasingly targeted pharmacological treatments.

From Bruker BioSpin - NMR, EPR and Imaging 14 Jul 2021

Can memory T cell responses to seasonal coronaviruses protect against severe COVID-19?

In a recent study published in the journal Science Immunology, scientists have revealed that the presence of CD8+ T cells against conserved epitopes of seasonal coronaviruses is associated with mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). These immune cells exhibit a memory phenotype and provide protection against severe disease.

7 Jul 2021

Mother-to-baby SARS-CoV-2 transmission in pregnancy possible but rare, says study

A new meta-analysis, released on the medRxiv* preprint server, suggests that, though possible, the virus is rarely transmitted to the newborn in real life. A scientific brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2021 describes three mechanisms by which the virus might be transmitted from the mother to the fetus or newborn.