CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES Meaning and
Definition
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Cytomegaloviruses, commonly referred to as CMVs, are a group of large, double-stranded DNA viruses that belong to the Herpesviridae family. These viruses have the ability to infect humans, as well as various other animal species, including monkeys, rats, and mice. Cytomegaloviruses are widespread and can be found all around the world.
The term "cytomegaloviruses" derives from the distinctive effect these viruses have on infected cells. When a cell becomes infected by a CMV, it often undergoes significant enlargement (hypertrophy), leading to the formation of characteristic intracellular inclusions known as "cytomegalic cells." These cells, which are significantly larger than normal cells, are one of the hallmarks of CMV infection.
Cytomegaloviruses are primarily transmitted through bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, blood, and breast milk. In healthy individuals with a competent immune system, CMV infection usually remains dormant and does not cause symptoms. However, in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients, or newborns, the virus can cause severe illness.
Symptoms of CMV infection in immunocompromised individuals typically include fever, fatigue, enlargement of lymph nodes, and liver dysfunction. Cytomegaloviruses can also cause severe birth defects if a woman becomes infected during pregnancy.
There is no specific treatment for CMV infection, but antiviral medications can be used to manage symptoms and reduce the severity of illness. Prevention strategies include practicing good hygiene, especially frequent handwashing, using barrier precautions such as gloves and masks when necessary, and implementing strict screening protocols for blood and organ transfusions.
Common Misspellings for CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES
- xytomegaloviruses
- vytomegaloviruses
- fytomegaloviruses
- dytomegaloviruses
- cttomegaloviruses
- cgtomegaloviruses
- chtomegaloviruses
- cutomegaloviruses
- c7tomegaloviruses
- c6tomegaloviruses
- cyromegaloviruses
- cyfomegaloviruses
- cygomegaloviruses
- cyyomegaloviruses
- cy6omegaloviruses
- cy5omegaloviruses
- cytimegaloviruses
- cytkmegaloviruses
- cytlmegaloviruses
- cytpmegaloviruses
Etymology of CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES
The word "cytomegaloviruses" is a compound term that can be broken down into three parts: "cyto-", "mega-", and "viruses".
1. "Cyto-" is derived from the Greek word "kytos", meaning "cell". In biology, it is commonly used as a prefix to denote something related to the cell or cellular.
2. "Mega-" is also from Greek, and it means "large" or "great". It is often used as a prefix to indicate something of significant size or magnitude.
3. "Viruses" is the plural form of "virus", which comes from the Latin word "virus", meaning "poison" or "venom". In modern usage, viruses refer to microscopic infectious agents that can replicate within living cells of organisms.
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