Husna, Amity University Kolkata
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), affecting COVID-19 patients who are immunocompromised, has been detected. During the second wave of the pandemic in April-May, five cases of CMV infection in immunocompromised patients with Covid-19 were reported in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. The hospital reported that the patients presented themselves with pain in the abdomen, blood in stools, or intestinal obstruction around 20-30 days after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Out of the 5 cases, one person even succumbed to death due to massive bleeding and four patients had lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and three of them recovered. Seven cases were detected in Mumbai as well, where the COVID recovered patients returned to the hospital with the symptoms of CMV pneumonia such as inflammation and fluid build-up in the lungs.
What is Cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
It is a double-stranded DNA virus and a member of the Human Herpesvirus family. It is related to the Herpes virus that causes cold sore or chickenpox, according to the National Health Service (NHS), UK.
Cytomegalovirus infections (CMV) are detected in post-transplant patients or in patients who have weakened immune systems caused by cancer or AIDS. So, doctors believe that COVID-19 patients who have compromised immunity may be more prone to develop this virus. The patients who had severe COVID-19 were treated with steroid therapy, which even makes their immune system more susceptible to some uncommon infections.
Associated symptoms of CMV
Cytomegalovirus primarily affects people with weakened immunity. There are a few signs and symptoms which can be observed in those who have contracted the virus. Severe symptoms are diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, rectal bleeding, and weight loss.
As per CDC, Sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen glands, skin rash, and fever might be some of the most common symptoms. These symptoms can even disappear without treatment in three weeks, only for those with a healthy immune system.
How can CMV be diagnosed?
Doctors recommend blood and urine tests which include CMV antigen, a virus culture, or PCR, to diagnose the virus.
Treatment of CMV:
CMV is a transmissible disease and spreads to others when they come in contact with someone who has the disease. This can be via sexual contact or bodily fluids, such as urine, blood, saliva, tears, and faeces. The virus has no permanent treatment. Although antiviral medication can suppress the virus, it will not fully take it out of the system. If someone contracts CMV then it stays with them throughout their lifetime.
Also read: IgA-virus Immune Complex: Neutrophil’s trap for SARS-CoV-2
Sources:
- “Coronavirus: What Is Cytomegalovirus? How Is It Affecting COVID-19 Patients?” The Times of India, 1 July 2021, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/coronavirus-what-is-cytomegalovirus-how-is-it-affecting-covid-19-patients/photostory/84014261.cms.
- “Everything You Need to Know about Cytomegalovirus Affecting Those Who Recovered from Covid-19.” Deccan Herald, 1 July 2021, https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/everything-you-need-to-know-about-cytomegalovirus-affecting-those-who-recovered-from-covid-19-1003621.html.
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About the Author: Husna is an undergraduate student of BTech Biotechnology at Amity University Kolkata. She is a research enthusiast in Immunology and Immunotherapy but she has a keen interest in various other bioscience subjects as well. She is constantly focused on improving her knowledge and laboratory skills through various internships. She is a Scientific content writer who has knowledge in diverse backgrounds of Biotechnology.
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