We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Women with HIV Frequently Pass CMV to Infant

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Jul 2017
Print article
Image: Cytomegalovirus. According to a new study, HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) in their urine at the time of labor and delivery are over five times likelier to transmit HIV than HIV-positive women without CMV (Photo courtesy of the CDC).
Image: Cytomegalovirus. According to a new study, HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) in their urine at the time of labor and delivery are over five times likelier to transmit HIV than HIV-positive women without CMV (Photo courtesy of the CDC).
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can impair fetal growth, and babies born with the virus can have damage to the brain, liver, lung and spleen, as well as hearing loss.

People who are otherwise healthy usually do not experience any symptoms, but it can cause fever, sore throat, fatigue and swollen glands. In people with compromised immune systems, however, CMV can affect the eyes, lungs, liver, esophagus, stomach and intestines.

An international team of scientists led by those at University of California, Los Angeles (CA, USA) evaluated cytomegalovirus (CMV) urinary shedding in pregnant women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to determine whether it poses an increased risk for congenital CMV infection (cCMV). They evaluated 260 pairs of mothers and infants, 222 from the Americas and 38 from South Africa, who were enrolled in a perinatal study. Maternal and infant urines were tested by qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for CMV DNA with quantitative RT-PCR performed on positive specimens.

The investigators found that 24 women (9.2%) had detectable CMV viruria by qualitative PCR. Maternal CMV viruria was not associated with mean CD4 cell counts or HIV viral load but was associated with younger maternal age. Overall, 10 of 260 infants (3.8%) had cCMV and women with detectable peripartum CMV viruria were more likely to have infants with cCMV than those without. HIV-positive women with CMV in their urine at the time of labor and delivery are more than five times likelier than HIV-positive women without CMV to transmit HIV to their infants. The study also found that they are nearly 30 times likelier to transmit CMV to their infants. Maternal gonorrhea and higher maternal HIV log10 viral load were also significant risk factors for cCMV.

The authors concluded that HIV-infected pregnant women not on antiretrovirals, urinary CMV shedding was a significant risk factor for CMV and HIV transmission to infants. Karin Nielsen-Saines, MD, MPH, a professor of clinical pediatrics, and senior author of the study, said, “The findings were surprising because prior studies in healthy pregnant women have not shown an association between CMV detection in urine, or even cervical secretions, and congenital CMV infection.” The study was published on June 21, 2017, in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
University of California, Los Angeles

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
Specimen Collection & Transport
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The cobas Malaria test is the first FDA-approved molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria (Photo courtesy of Roche)

First FDA-Approved Molecular Test to Screen Blood Donors for Malaria Could Improve Patient Safety

Malaria, a serious illness that often leads to death, is spread by a specific mosquito species that infect humans with a parasite. Other transmission modes include blood transfusions, organ transplants,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.