Health Encyclopedia

CMV - pneumonia

Definition

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can occur in people who have a suppressed immune system.

Alternative Names

Pneumonia - cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus pneumonia; Troll of transplantation

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

CMV pneumonia is caused by a member of a group of herpes-type viruses. Infection with CMV is very common. Most healthy adults have antibodies (indicating previous infection) to CMV in their blood.

Usually CMV produces no symptoms, but serious CMV infections can occur in people with impaired immunity from conditions such as:

AIDS
Bone marrow transplant
Organ transplant
Chemotherapy or other treatments that suppress the immune system

In people who have had organ and bone marrow transplants, the risk of infection is greatest 5 - 13 weeks after the transplant.

Symptoms

Cough
Fatigue
Fever
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
Loss of appetite
Muscle aches or joint pains
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath on exertion
Sweating, excessive (night sweats)

Low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia) with CMV pneumonia often predicts death, especially in patients who need mechanical ventilation.

Signs and tests

Arterial blood gas
Blood culture
Blood tests to detect and measure substances specific to CMV infection
Bronchoscopy with biopsy
Chest x-ray
Urine culture (clean catch)

Treatment

The objective of treatment is to stop the virus from copying in the body through the use of antiviral drugs. Some people will need to get medication through a vein (intravenous). Some people might initially need oxygen therapy and breathing support with a ventilator to maintain oxygen until the infection is brought under control.

Expectations (prognosis)

Antiviral medications stop the virus from copying itself, but do not destroy it. CMV itself suppresses the immune system, and may increase the risk of other infections due to the additional immunosuppression.

Complications

Complications of CMV infection in people with AIDS include:

CMV pneumonia
Intestinal disease
Infectious, mononucleosis-like illness (CMV mononucleosis)
Inflammation of the retina (CMV retinitis)

CMV also increases the replication of HIV in people who are infected.

Complications of CMV pneumonia include:

Kidney impairment (from drugs used to treat the condition)
Low white blood cell count (from drugs used to treat the condition)
Overwhelming infection that doesn't respond to treatment
Relapse of infection

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of CMV pneumonia.

Prevention

The following have been shown to help prevent CMV pneumonia in certain patients:

Using organ transplant donors who don't have CMV
Using CMV-negative blood products for transfusion
Using CMV-immune globulin in certain patients

Preventing AIDS avoids opportunistic diseases, including CMV, that can occur in people who have a damaged or poorly functioning immune system.

Review Date:11/1/2007
Reviewed By:Kenneth M. Wener, M.D., Department of Infectious Diseases, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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