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Glite Dictionary
cytomegalovirus

cytomegalovirus

1 9.6
A virus that makes infected cells larger and can harm unborn babies and people with weak immune systems
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪtoʊˈmɛɡəloʊˌvaɪrəs/
  • Specialized
: citomegalovirus
  • Cytomegalovirus infection was diagnosed if the patient had an acute rise in CMV titers along with a positive culture.
  • cytomegalovirus (HCMV)

Examples

  • Herpes, cytomegalovirus and vaccinia inhibit immunity in the blood by disrupting receptors.

  • Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the commonest opportunistic viral infection in patients with AIDS.

    Academic text (1995)

  • So we have cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, HIV viruses, all kinds of things.

  • Cytomegalovirus infection is common in patients with AIDS, and often causes retinitis.

    Academic text (1995)

  • CMV = Cytomegalovirus

    Academic text (2007)

  • Concomitant involvement by Pneumocystis jirovecii and Cytomegalovirus was seen in five patients, the diagnosis made only at postmortem.

    Academic text (2007)

  • That's done by herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus, and they can immunosuppress the host with mimics of interleukins.

  • The cytomegalovirus can cause serious complications in newborns, leading to hearing loss and developmental delays.

  • Many people are infected with cytomegalovirus without knowing it, as symptoms are often mild or absent.

  • In individuals with weakened immune systems, cytomegalovirus can lead to severe health issues, including pneumonia.

Synonyms

CMV
vscytomegalovirus
  • Specialized
5 9.2

A virus that can cause serious illness or birth defects in people with weak immune systems

is the full formal name used instead of the abbreviated form

Surface Forms

cytomegalovirus singular
cytomegaloviruses plural

Morphology

cytomegalovirus = cyto + megalo + virus (opaque) = cyto + megalo + virus

The components 'cyto', 'megalo', and 'virus' are derived from Greek and Latin roots, making the term opaque to learners without specialized knowledge.

Etymology

The word cytomegalovirus breaks into cyto- 'cell', mega- 'large', as in megaphone, and virus 'germ'. So it is a virus that makes infected cells very large and can be dangerous for newborns and people with weak immune systems.