CMV and transfusions, an old story that's not quite over yet

Immuno-histochemical expression of cytomegalovirus protein (pp65) in childhood hepatitis

“…Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Betaherpesvirinae sub-family of Herpesviridae 3 . CMV infection is acquired perinatally or through sexual contact, organ transplantation or blood transfusion 4 .…”

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“…2 The infection of this virus is acquired either in the perinatal period and infancy or in adulthood through sexual contact, organ transplantation or blood transfusion. 3 HCMV, like other herpesviruses, gives lasting settlement of the organism and its reservoir are mainly monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, where the virus is shed, many years after the initial infection (present in the throat and urine). The result of infection is seen basically in larger cells, and the presence of characteristic intracellular inclusions surrounded by halo of low reflection, gives the appearance of the so-called 'Owl-eyes'.…”

COVID-19 pneumonia, immunosuppression, and cytomegalovirus activation

“…This information is also important as the blood product transfusion can cause CMV infection. [ 5 ] We don't know whether this elderly patient was CMV positive before he received blood products, as his CMV status was not evaluated before he received the immune plasma from 3 rd party donor. However knowing that an Indian patient by the age of 70 years will be universally CMV positive, we may presume that he was positive for the virus serology and had secondary activation of the virus due to disease/steroid/immune plasma infusion.…”