The bowels of infection Oct 21, 2009
Acute CMV infection exacerbates IBD; however, the effects of latent CMV infection on the development and/or severity of IBD have not been studied. Researchers led by Dr. Andrew Gewirtz at Emory University in Atlanta, GA therefore examined IBD development in mice with latent CMV infection ... They found that while latent CMV infection did not induce IBD, it exacerbated the severity of intestinal inflammation if colitis were already present. (EurekAlert!)
Valcyte Approved for Cytomegalovirus in Children Sep 2, 2009
Children are at increased risk of CMV infection and serious complications when their immune systems are suppressed to prevent rejection of donor organs. CMV infects about 80 percent of the U.S. population, the company said, and in most cases lies dormant in the body. (MEDLINEplus)
FDA Approves Valcyte(R) (valganciclovir hydrochloride) to Prevent Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease in Pediatric Patients Who Receive Heart or Kidney Transplants Aug 31, 2009
"Children receiving organ transplants are especially vulnerable to infection because of their reduced immunity, and the invasive procedure of a transplant can put them at higher risk of contracting CMV infection," noted Richard Freeman, M.D., Vice Chair for Research, Department of Surgery, Professor of Surgery, Tufts Medical Center ... In patients who have received an organ transplant, CMV infection usually develops during the first few months after transplantation, and may cause complications... (PR Newswire)
Astellas Seeks Rigorous Testing and Safety-Related Labeling for Anti-Rejection Medications Aug 11, 2009
The principal adverse reactions of Prograf include tremor, headache, hypertension, gastrointestinal disturbance, abnormal renal function, hyperglycemia, leukopenia, CMV infection, infection, and hyperlipemia. For full prescribing information please visit www. (PR Newswire)
Viral Infection Might Trigger High Blood Pressure May 19, 2009
CMV infection is widespread, Crumpacker noted ... But aside from pregnancy, where CMV infection is associated with serious birth defects, it causes no problems for most adults "until they get something that compromises the immune system," he noted ... Blood vessel problems related to CMV infection were first noted in heart transplant recipients, Crumpacker said. (MEDLINEplus)
High Blood Pressure Could Be Caused By A Common Virus, Study Suggests May 17, 2009
"This strongly suggests that the CMV infection and the high-cholesterol diet might be working together to cause atherosclerosis," says Crumpacker ... "We found that CMV infection alone led to an increase in high blood pressure, and when combined with a high-cholesterol diet, the infection actually induced atherosclerosis in a mouse aorta," says Crumpacker. (Science Daily)
Common Virus May Cause High Blood Pressure May 16, 2009
And Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG makes an antiviral drug called Valcyte to prevent CMV infections in transplant recipients. Most adults will have been exposed to CMV by age 40, although many never experience any symptoms. (Newsmax)
Vical Updates Lead Vaccine Programs At NFID Vaccine Research Conference and Addresses Potential Response to H1N1 Swine Influenza Outbreak Apr 28, 2009
Congenital CMV infection affects one out of every hundred infants, and causes severe consequences in about 3,600 infants and death in about 400 each year in the United States. Infants born with CMV infection can be affected by blindness, deafness and mental retardation and these consequences are frequently undiagnosed until the child reaches several years of age. (Primezone Releases)
Serious Infection In Pregnancy: Experimental Vaccine Shows Promise In Preventing Cytomegalovirus Infection In Infants Mar 21, 2009
"This is an important step along the path towards the ultimate goal a vaccine that can protect infants from congenital CMV infection." He notes that a larger trial would be needed to conclusively prove the efficacy of any candidate CMV vaccine for this purpose ... Eight percent of vaccine recipients (18 of 225) eventually became infected with CMV, while 14 percent of saline injection recipients (31 out of 216) acquired a CMV infection by the end of the trial. (Science Daily)
Trial Vaccine May Protect Against Serious Viral Infection Mar 20, 2009
Anyone can develop a CMV infection, and healthy adults and children usually don't show symptoms of the infection ... Using a statistical model, the researchers estimated that women given the vaccine would be half as likely to develop a CMV infection over a 42-month period as those given a placebo. (MEDLINEplus)
Vaccine Prevention of Maternal CMV Infection Mar 19, 2009
We tested for CMV infection in the women in quarterly tests during a 42-month period, using an assay for IgG antibodies against CMV proteins other than glycoprotein B. Infection was confirmed by virus culture or immunoblotting. The primary end point was the time until the detection of CMV infection ... Conclusions CMV glycoprotein B vaccine has the potential to decrease incident cases of maternal and congenital CMV infection. (New England Journal of Medicine)
One Step Closer to a CMV Vaccine Mar 19, 2009
In this issue of the Journal, Pass and colleagues describe the results of a phase 2 trial of a vaccine containing recombinant cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B subunit antigen combined with MF59 adjuvant for the prevention of CMV infection in seronegative women of childbearing age. 1 The primary end point was the time to CMV infection in the women ... Their report of 50% vaccine efficacy (95% confidence interval, 7 to 73) is a promising development in the long search for an effective vaccine... (New England Journal of Medicine)
IMPACT Study Demonstrates That Longer Prophylactic Therapy With Valcyte(R) (Valganciclovir Hydrochloride Tablets) Increases Protection Against CMV - the Most Serious Viral Infection Affecting Transplant Patients Feb 14, 2009
Previous studies have shown that although Valcyte administered for up to 100 days provides high protection against CMV infection and disease throughout therapy duration, some patients may still develop CMV infection and disease after stopping therapy ... "Valcyte is considered the standard care for the prevention of CMV infection in transplant patients, and the fact that this study has shown that even more kidney transplant patients can be protected from CMV disease by extending the course of... (PR Newswire)
Mom's Infection Raises Risk of Infant Hearing Loss Feb 7, 2009
Congenital CMV infection is the most common viral infection affecting the fetus, Dr. Ina Foulon and colleagues from Universitair Ziekenhuis in Brussels, Belgium, note in their report ... In their latest study, the researchers examined the association between CMV infection occurring at different times of pregnancy and sensorineural hearing loss in 34 children who were diagnosed with congenital CMV infection ... Of the 28 remaining children, sensorineural hearing loss occurred in 4 of the 5... (MEDLINEplus)
