Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family acquired by late childhood in the majority of individuals. Primary infection is nonspecific but after that the virus becomes latent in multiple organs and can later be reactivated. CMV is an important and common cause of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS or transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy.
