Review article

Pathogenesis of congenital cytomegalovirus infection of the central nervous system

ESTER PERNJAK PUGEL ; Department of Histology and Embryology

Abstract

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of congenital infections in the central nervous system (CNS). HCMV infection in the brain is accompanied with wide spread encephalitis and developmental abnormalities of newborn brain which may result in severe long term sequelae. Due to species specificity of CMVs, animal models are frequently used for HCMV pathogenesis research. Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) shares many biological similarities to HCMV and therefore mouse model is most frequently used to study the pathogenesis of congenital HCMV infection. MCMV establishes productive infection in the brain parenchyma of
newborn mice which leads to extensive non-necrotizing multifocal widespread
encephalitis characterized with infiltration of both components of
innate and adaptive immunity.As a result, impairments in postnatal development of mouse cerebellum lead to long term motor and sensor disabilities. Extrapolated data from murine model indicate that CMV infection and inflammation in the developing CNS alter normal tissue programs in developing brain and, thus, are responsible for the neurological disorders associated with congenital CMV infection. High rate of sequelae following congenital CMV infection and insufficient antiviral therapy in perinatal period assigned CMV-specific vaccine as the highest priority of modern
medicine.

Keywords

Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection; Brain; Development

Hrčak ID:

67236

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/67236

Publication date:

31.3.2011.

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