[Current treatment modalities of immunocompromised patients with cytomegalovirus infection. I. Epidemiological and clinical perspectives].

Human cytomegalovirus is a DNA virus with a global prevalence of 40-100%. In humans, primary infection is followed by a lifelong latent persistent phase. Even in individuals developing adequate specific immunity, interactions with the resident virus do probably occur. Clinically significant problems, however, appear primarily in immunocompromised hosts. As a result of an impaired T-cell mediated immunity, viral reactivation as well as a viral disease resulting in organ damage can develop. Most severely affected are HIV positive persons in AIDS stage and individuals undergoing solid organ or stem cell transplantation. As vital functions and survival may adversely be affected by cytomegalovirus reactivation and disease, it is of paramount significance to evaluate evident risk factors. Viral reactivation and organ specific disease can be detected by several methods based on conventional and molecular biological and histological diagnostic techniques. An up-to-date management of affected patient groups requires a meticulous assessment of the possible risk for cytomegalovirus infection and development of an adequate antiviral strategy. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(3): 83-92.