[Suppression of immunological response in a newborn with congenital cytomegalovirus infection: diagnostic difficulties].

A newborn with symptoms of congenital cytomegalovirus infection (interuterine dystrophy, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, chronic pneumonia, pleocytosis in CSF) is described in whom tests for specific anti- CMV-IgM antibodies were negative. Changes typical for cytomegaloviral infection were found on autopsy. The authors discuss the difficulties in interpreting various serologic tests (CFT, anti-CMV IgM) in congenital infections, suggesting the necessity of introducing new diagnostic methods for better diagnosis and treatment.