https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a This Padlet will guide you through all of the details and critical information for Cytomegalovirus so that you can recognize and find treatment for possible infections. Quick response time for this virus ensures a quality prognosis. en-us 2022-04-30 16:32:14 UTC 2022-04-30 20:48:07 UTC hello@padlet.com micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165367743 2022-04-30 16:50:15 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165367743 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165375300 Cytomegalovirus or CMV, is a common virus that impacts all ages. Nearly 1 in 3 children have already been infected in the US, and approximately more than 50% of adults have also been infected with CMV by early 40s. The virus is latent and can remain in a person's body their whole life. Chances of reactivation (periods) of infectivity gets higher if the person's immune system is comprised, aside from a high functioning immune system the virus stays dormant and is less likely to cause any harsh symptoms.

"Cyto" is Latin for "cell, container"
"Megal" is Latin for "large, big"
"Virus" is Latin for "poison" 

Cyto- + Megal + o + Virus = " Large cell containing poison" 

This Padlet will feature the most common human related CMV type :  Human Betaherpesvirus 5 (HCMV) and Congenital Cytomegalovirus]]> 2022-04-30 17:06:52 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165375300 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165390551 There are 11 subtypes of CMV, not all of them affect humans like they would for animals. Different strains and compatibility of the immune system determines the range and severity of symptoms.

CMV Polyradiculomyelopathy presents in person's that has acquired Neurologic CMV with HIV-AIDS : lower extremity weakness, abnormal sensation of the limbs, radicular nerve pain, urinary tract retention, and insufficient motor reflexes.

Human CMV 5 with normal immune system : Fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen glands, mononucleosis, hepatitis, and inflammation of the pharynx.

Human CMV 5 immunocompromised : Fever, sore throat ; severe infections in salivary glands, thyroid, bronchi, and the lining of the lungs. These symptoms are more recognized in patients with HIV infections, organ recipients (vice-versa), and new born infants.

Congenital Newborn CMV : Low birth weight, microcephaly, seizures, petechial rashes, sensorineural hearing loss, moderate enlargement of the liver which can cause post- birth jaundice. Newborn CMV is the most common viral infection in babies. ]]> 2022-04-30 17:41:20 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165390551 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165415151 RNA 2.7 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) that doesn't have coding activity for proteins, research suggests that despite this viruses can still regulate gene expression. Viruses can produce  lncRNAs which plays a role in biological and genetic processes. This study helps researchers to better identify what mechanisms cause cell death and promotion of viral DNA replication 

The article highlights 3 main points :
-  HCMV RNA 2.7 inhibits the phosphorylation of Pol II Serine-2 
- RNA 2.7 reduces activity between Pol II and pCDK9 
- RNA 2.7 regulates cell cycles by blocking the cell from entering into S phase 

The figure above details how RNA2.7 in HCMV infections can hijack the host cells entire replication process : 

- RNA 2.7 binds to Pol II 
- RNA 2.7 binding of Pol II blocks interaction between pCDK9 and Pol II (acts as a buffer), thus causing inhibition of Pol II Serine-2 
- Prevention of Pol II Serine-2 phosphorylation decreases amount of MCMs, Cdt1, and Cdc6 (all of which are pre-replication complex factors that help set the cell from G0/G1 to S phase) 
- This induces arrest and death for the host cell which prevents the body from taking aggressive immune responsive measures to a lytic infections like HCMV-RNA 2.7]]> 2022-04-30 18:40:48 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165415151 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165419850 CMV replicates mostly inside of endothelia cells. Typically the lining of the salivary glands and lungs but it can attract internally anywhere in the body. 

It takes about 5-10 days, from transmission to infection, for the virus to fully code for structural proteins within the host cell. 

CMV makes its own DNA polymerase, but uses the host's RNA polymerase for the transcription of its genes. CMV is a double-stranded DNA virus and formation of the double strand takes place in the host cell nucleus. 

Fun Fact : Strain AD169 of Human CMV can have almost 75% of its genes delete and still possess the ability to cause infection. This implies that strains can avoid the immune system for a moment until latency !!!!]]> 2022-04-30 18:52:50 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165419850 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165421762 The transmissibility of CMV is still unknown but the clear infection comes from body fluids, typically saliva. This includes urine, blood, sweat, and even TEARS wow !!! 

Infection requires close immediate contact to another person. It cannot be passed through spores or air through coughing or sneezing (only if fluids from the mucosal lining leaks) 

CMV has be tested to not have a huge viral load or highly contagious, but it has been reported to spread in houses and daycare centers. 

The infection can be passed from an infected mother to newborns through the birth canal or breastfeeding. As well as receiving translated organs and blood transfusions.

 ]]> 2022-04-30 18:57:42 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165421762 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165438324 Researchers and scientist need to determine how much of a burden CMV is in populations so they can figure out preventive measures and treatment options. 

Prevalent Percentage by Continent : 
- Africa 100 % 
- Asia 100% 
- Europe 80% 
- North America 80% 

Prevalent Percentage by Presence of CMV IgG Antibodies : 
- General Population 83% 
- Women of Childbearing Age 86% 
- Recipients of Organs or Blood : 86% 

Out of those 3 groups, the World Health Organization recognized a high prevalence in Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions at 90%. Lowest prevalence was reported in Europe at 66% 

Exclusively in the US communities of color are more impacted by CMV. Disparities that play a role in CMV infections include high mortality among adults, high mortality among infants, and lower socioeconomic disparities. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30706584/]]> 2022-04-30 19:39:07 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165438324 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165447024  Nearly 78% of all CMV cases go undiagnosed because high immune functioning patients are usually asymptotic or don't know they have the virus. People infected will have the virus for the rest of their life, the body does make life long antibodies to stop reactivation of the virus. 

The virus can be taken from urine, throat, tissue, and bronchial samples in order to test them. The most used teasing is PCR testing, this tests the viral load of the person. 

CMV pp65 Antigenemia test can also be used to detect the virus. Indirect immunofluorescence identifies the pp65 protein of CMV in white blood cells. One sample is taken and then another one is taken 2 week later to compare the viral load. 

It isn't effective to test blood in newborns for CMV because their white blood cells have yet to recognize the immune system, so clinicians use saliva or urine instead.

Fun Fact : They can't test tears because the lacrimal glands of babies won't produce tears until about 3 months !!!                    ]]> 2022-04-30 20:01:55 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165447024 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165453448 There is no cure for CMV and most people don't need  any treatment until the symptoms get worse. 

Immunoglobulin G (IgG), alone or with an antiviral, can be sufficient enough to cause the prophylaxis of CVM : 
- reduces risk of CMV-related death 
- provides long-term prognosis 
- produces little treatment related side effects 

Cytovene and Valcyte are both antiviral drugs that are taken orally. Valcyte can be converted into Cytovene when amino acid changes in the UL97 protein, which has been reported to cause drug resistance. These antivirals can slow the reproduction of the virus but it can't stop it completely. 

Since 2009 there have been 3 attempts to procure a CMV vaccine especially for Congenital CMV. As of 2016 the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California is rapidly developing 2 promising CMV vaccines : CMV-MVA Triplex vaccine and the CMVpp65-A0201 Peptide vaccine. 

The CDC recommends regular hand washing and good hygiene at home and in public.


]]> 2022-04-30 20:19:07 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165453448 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165454309 Sometimes CMV can cause retinitis and inflammation of the retinal fundus. 

This video shows an Ophthalmologist performing a Fundoscopy on the retina to see how damaged it is from CMV. ]]> 2022-04-30 20:21:16 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165454309 micegrif https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165463751 This is Dr. Stanley Ridell of the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle. He and team of colleagues first isolated T-cells for therapy for patients who acquired CMV after stem cell transplantation in the 1990s. 

Since then his work has expanded into the modification and reinfusion of T cells so that people can have a fightable response to CVM. ]]> 2022-04-30 20:47:27 UTC https://padlet.com/micegrif/nku6uzne3zuw6w0a/wish/2165463751