Blog

2018 Early Career Research Award Recipient

The National CMV Foundation’s mission includes supporting relevant, timely and innovative research that will assist the foundation in meeting its goals to eliminate the harmful effects of maternal and congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

The CDC Releases New CMV Materials

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two new resources for health care professionals about congenital CMV in June 2017, National CMV Awareness Month. The information sheets, produced and published by the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), provide much needed information for healthcare providers who work with two distinct populations affected by congenital CMV—pregnant women and their newborns. 

​Key Observations from the 2017 International CMV Conference

Approximately 300 of the world’s leading experts in CMV-related research came together in the Netherlands on April 30th for the 6th International CMV Conference (16th International CMV/betaherpesvirus Workshop). This event aims to connect basic science and clinical expertise research to prevent and cure CMV diseases. Several trusted advisors to the National CMV Foundation and members of our Research Priorities Committee attended and presented on current studies and recent findings. 

​National CMV Foundation Sponsors $45,000 CMV Research Award

The National CMV Foundation is excited to announce that it made its first research award in May 2017. Through the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS), the foundation awarded a two-year, $45,000 fellowship award to Frances Saccoccio, MD, PhD. Dr. Saccoccio is a 2nd year pediatric infectious disease fellow at Duke University. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicines’ combined MD/PhD Program and her dissertation and other research work has focused on congenital CMV vaccines. 

Important information about CMV for OB/GYNs

​There is a prominent health threat in our nation that is slipping under the radar: CMV. With the help of OB/GYNs, we can raise awareness and empower pregnant women, protecting their babies through simple prevention methods and giving them options for treatment if they do contract this virus.

​International CMV consensus report published in the Lancet

A consensus report from the International Congenital Cytomegalovirus Recommendations Group was recently published in the UK medical journal, the Lancet. The report, entitled “Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy and the neonate: consensus recommendations for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy”, is the result of an international consensus meeting held in Brisbane, Australia at the 5th International Congenital Cytomegalovirus Conference. 

​Microcephaly 101

Microcephaly has been making headlines over the last year as potential brain malformation connected to women diagnosed with Zika during pregnancy. However, kids are at risk of being born with microcephaly even in areas of the world not hit by the Zika virus. Many of these cases are caused by cytomegalovirus, or CMV. Unlike Zika, which is only being actively transmitted in a small area of the world, CMV exists virtually everywhere. To reduce these cases, we need to increase awareness of CMV: causes, detection, treatments, etc. 

Pregnant and diagnosed with CMV?

​If you have just recently been diagnosed with CMV, it can be an extremely confusing, difficult time--we've been there. Just trying to understand what the doctors are telling you can leave you feeling lost and alone sometimes. National CMV is here to help guide you as you begin this journey, providing information and resources to better understand what comes next.

After a pregnant friend's CMV diagnosis, a pediatrician takes action

National CMV recently had the chance to speak with Dr. Keren Shahar-Nissan, a pediatrician at Schneider Medical Center of Israel, who has launched a Valacyclovir study in the wake of a friend being diagnosed with CMV infection during her pregnancy. With limited funding and increasing enrollment, Dr. Shahar-Nissan, is hoping for an increased appreciation and enthusiasm towards the prevention of congenital CMV infection. 

Ultrasound detection of congenital CMV infection

Tens of thousands of babies are born in the United States with congenital CMV every year. For many of these babies, possible signs of CMV infection were likely visible during pregnancy on ultrasound.