cytomegalovirus

[sahy-toh-meg-uh-loh-vahy-ruh s] /ˌsaɪ toʊˌmɛg ə loʊˈvaɪ rəs/

noun, plural cytomegaloviruses.

a common virus of the herpesvirus family, usually harmless or causing mild colds but capable of producing severe systemic damage in infected newborns and immunosuppressed persons.

Abbreviation: CMV.

Origin

1960-65; cytomegal(ia) (see cytomegalic) + -o- + virus

British Dictionary definitions for cytomegalovirus

cytomegalovirus

/ˌsaɪtəʊˈmɛɡələʊˌvaɪrəs/

noun

a virus of the herpes virus family that may cause serious disease in patients whose immune systems are compromised CMV

cytomegalovirus in Medicine

cytomegalovirus cy·to·meg·a·lo·vi·rus (sī'tə-měg'ə-lō-vī'rəs)
n.

Abbr. CMV Any of a group of herpes viruses that attack and enlarge epithelial cells. Such viruses also cause a disease of infants characterized by circulatory dysfunction and microcephaly. Also called visceral disease virus.

cytomegalovirus in Science

cytomegalovirus

(sī'tə-měg'ə-lō-vī'rəs)
Any of a group of herpes viruses of the genus Cytomegalovirus that cause enlargement and abnormal structures in the cell nucleus (known as nuclear inclusions) in infected cells. Although the virus usually causes minor or no symptoms in normal adults, it is a common cause of opportunistic infections in immunosuppressed patients and can cause life-threatening congenital infections.