Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common herpes virus that infects people of all ages. Most healthy people do not develop any symptoms following infection. However, pregnant women can pass the virus on to their baby who may then develop symptoms, including brain, liver, spleen, lung and growth problems.
CMV is transmitted in body fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, semen and breast milk. Occasionally, healthy people develop mild symptoms such as fever, sore throat, fatigue and swollen glands. However, more serious symptoms can develop in people with a weakened immune system, such as organ and tissue transplant patients. These include serious effects on internal organs such as the lungs, liver, stomach and intestines.¹
RESEARCH FOCUS
- examining the how CMV manipulates the immune system to survive
- identifying CMV proteins for novel vaccine or drug targets
- developing CMV-specific T cells that can be used to treat infection, especially in immunocompromised patients with cancer