Immunological and Virological Prognostic Markers of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Congenital Infection in Pregnant Women With Primary HCMV Infection.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) establishes a lifelong relationship with its host: primary infection is followed by a latency phase with intermittent reactivation episodes, despite a robust, long-lasting immune response. Primary and non-primary infection (the latter indicating both reactivation and re-infection) is usually asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals. Apart from immunocompromised subjects, HCMV is potentially dangerous during pregnancy: the fetus may become infected and develop symptoms at birth or severe long-term sequelae in about 20% of cases (Stagno et al, JAMA 1986; Dollard et al, Rev Med Virol 2007). HCMV is the most common congenital infection with vertical transmission occurring in about 0.64% pregnancies (Cannon \& Davis, BMC Public Health 2005). Our studies on the T and B cell response to HCMV suggest that a delayed development of the immune response to HCMV prim