Anti-CMV-IgM (class IgМ antibodies to Cytomegalovirus)

Cytomegalovirus cell size–increasing virus" (Cytomegalovirus hominis) is a DNA-containing virus belonging to the herpesvirus family. It refers to an opportunistic infection, that is, causing the disease only under favorable conditions for it (decrease in immunity). The virus is able to stay in the body for many years in a "dormant" latent state and makes itself known at the most inopportune moment.

Serologic diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection is based on the detection of specific IgM class antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). These antibodies are produced by organisms in response to the introduction of an infection to fight it. Each class of antibodies has its own functions and timing of appearance. IgM is produced on average one week after infection. Therefore, the test shows the acute stage of the course of cytomegalovirus infection. This may be reinfection, superinfection, or reactivation of a chronic process.

Other diagnostic methods for detecting CMV include:
- Detection of CMV by PCR in the blood or in a scrape from the genitourinary tract.

Cytomegalovirus infection occurs in three variants:

1. ARVI-like variant (fever, sore throat, runny nose, general weakness, headache, swelling of the salivary glands!)
2. Damage to the organs of the genitourinary system** (urethritis, cystitis ...)
3. Generalized form (damage to individual organs - lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, etc.)

When examining the saliva of practically healthy individuals, according to statistics, cytomegalovirus infection is detected in almost sixty percent of cases, and in people over the age of fifty, almost a hundred percent of cases, but at the same time, people continue to remain completely healthy, since the virus is in an inactive state.

Cytomegalovirus is a potentially dangerous group of TORCH infections for fetus development (toxoplasma, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes). The main source of infection is a human carrier of the virus. Since cytomegalovirus is able to survive in different environments of the body, its transmission is possible:

- Through kissing, due to the content of the virus in saliva;
- Through blood, in particular when transfusing whole blood and its components;
- From mother to child through milk during lactation;
- Through sexual contact.

The clinical picture of cytomegalovirus infection is very diverse and depends primarily on which organ or system is involved in the pathological process.