ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common opportunistic infection after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and is less frequently encountered among patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy for various malignancies. Both primary infection and reactivation can result in substantial morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised host. Therefore, the prompt recognition and treatment of CMV infection is critical. This chapter will outline the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CMV, focusing on the HCT recipient since it is this population that is at greatest risk for, and bears the largest burden of, CMV infection and disease.