Testing for Cytomegalovirus in Pregnancy

J Clin Microbiol. 2017 Mar;55(3):693-702. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01868-16. Epub 2016 Dec 28.

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents a relevant cause of deafness and neurological damage in newborns. Intrauterine CMV transmission might result after primary or nonprimary infections, though at different rates (30% versus 0.2%, respectively). At present, a prenatal diagnosis of CMV infection is based mainly on maternal serology, the detection of CMV-DNA in amniotic fluid and fetal blood, and ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recent evidences suggest that congenital CMV infection may be an immune-mediated disease and that evaluation of humoral and especially T-cell immunities may improve the overall prenatal diagnosis. This review summarizes the most recent advancements in the diagnosis of maternal and prenatal CMV infections.

Keywords: CMV-ELISPOT; CMV-QuantiFERON; IgG avidity; congenital infections; human cytomegalovirus; imaging; immunoserology; laboratory assays.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*