“Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Symptoms, Transmission and the Race to Develop a Vaccine”

Cytomegalovirus — or CMV — is a genus of DNA viruses that belongs to the herpes family. It is a virus that we have known for a long time”, explains the principal investigator and medical director of Centricity Research, Dr Guy Tellier.

An infection in a pregnant woman can be transmitted directly to the fetus.

The damage can be very extensive in young children, but the majority of cases are asymptomatic. Rarely, children can suffer from serious brain complications, and others can even die.

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The virus is particularly common in developing countries. In Canada, nearly 40% to 50% of people have had it, reports Dr. Tellier. CMV is transmitted through body fluids, so anyone can catch it.

Despite its significant spread, there is still no vaccine to counter the virus. A clinical study began in 2017 to achieve this and has been in phase 3 since 2021.

See Sabrina Rivet’s report in the video.