Does congenital cytomegalovirus infection lead to hearing loss by inducing mutation of the GJB2 gene?

Abstract

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and mutation of the gap junction β-2 (GJB2) gene are important causes of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). This study aims to determine if congenital CMV infection leads to deafness by inducing GJB2 mutation. Methods: GJB2 gene sequencing and auditory brainstem response testing were performed in 159 neonates (63 with and 96 without CMV infection) from August 2008 to August 2011. For neonates with GJB2 mutation, their parents were further screened for GJB2 sequence. results: The incidence of SNHL was 12.7% in CMV-infected but 0% in uninfected children aged 1-1.5 y (P = 0.000). Similar mutation rates of the GJB2 gene were observed in neonates with or without CMV infection (34.9 vs. 32.3%, respectively, P = 0.734). No significant difference in the mutation rate of GJB2 was found among neonates with CMV infection and SNHL, those with CMV infection and normal hearing, and uninfected newborns with normal hearing (P = 0.438). Mutations 79G>A, 109G>A, 341A>G, and 608T>C were found in neonates with and without CMV infection. All of the above mutations were also found in both or one of the corresponding parents. conclusion: Congenital CMV infections may cause deafness in neonates, but this might be independent of GJB2 gene mutation.

Pre-Pregnancy Health Status and Risk of Preterm Birth: A Large, Chinese, Rural, Population-Based Study

“…The findings of this study show that cytomegalovirus infection prior to conception may have effects on PTB. Combined with previous research results showing that maternal CMV infection during pregnancy might be a risk factor for adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes, and congenital cytomegalovirus infection may cause deafness in neonates [ 33 ], our analysis on the role of cytomegalovirus infection supports the suggestion that screening and treatment of CMV infection is accepted into the one of the pre-pregnancy health policies. A positive anti-CMV IgM result indicates a recent infection, and if reproductive-aged women are diagnosed with CMV infection in conjunction with clinical presentation, patient history, and other laboratory findings, doctors should advise some specific treatments or wait until after the anti-CMV IgM changed to negative before couples consider pregnancy.…”

A study of deafness-related genetic mutations as a basis for strategies to prevent hereditary hearing loss in Hebei, China

“…A study by Liu et al (49) found that 79G>A, 341A>G, 109G>A, and 608T>C were common polymorphisms in the Dai and Han ethnic groups. A study by Li et al (50) detected GJB2 mutations in neonates and identified the 4 types of mutation they considered to be polymorphisms. Other studies have shown that 79G>A, 341A>G, and 608T>C are found in the general population but do not cause deafness (51)(52)(53).…”

Hearing impairment and language delay in infants: Diagnostics and genetics

“…These CMV-induced changes could result in the already described mutations through changes in regulatory processes. This could also explain the involvement of the eyes that is sometimes present [ 76 ].…”