Cytomegalovirus

A group of viruses in the family Herpesviridae infecting humans and other animals, many of the viruses having special affinity for salivary glands, and causing enlargement of cells of various organs and development of characteristic inclusions (owl eye) in the cytoplasm or nucleus. Infection of embryo in utero may result in malformation and fetal death. They are all species-specific and include salivary virus, inclusion body rhinitis virus of pigs, and others. SYN: visceral disease virus. [cyto- + G. megas, big]

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cy·to·meg·a·lo·vi·rus .sīt-ə-.meg-ə-lō-'vī-rəs n a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 5 of the genus Cytomegalovirus) that causes cellular enlargement and formation of eosinophilic inclusion bodies esp. in the nucleus and that acts as an opportunistic infectious agent in immunosuppressed conditions (as AIDS)

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n.

a member of the herpes group of viruses (see herpesvirus). It commonly occurs in humans and normally produces symptoms milder than the common cold. However, in individuals whose immune systems are compromised (e.g. by cancer or AIDS) it can cause more severe effects, and it has been found to be the cause of congenital handicap in infants born to women who have contracted the virus during pregnancy.

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Cy·to·meg·a·lo·vi·rus (si″to-megґə-lo-vi″rəs) [cyto- + megalo- + virus, from the appearance of infected cells] a genus of ubiquitous viruses of the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae (family Herpesviridae), containing the single species human herpesvirus 5, transmitted by multiple routes. It causes an infection that is usually mild or subclinical but may develop into cytomegalic inclusion disease.