cytomegalovirus
[ sahy-toh-meg-uh-loh-vahy-ruh s ]
/ ˌsaɪ toʊˌmɛg ə loʊˈvaɪ rəs /
noun, plural cy·to·meg·a·lo·vi·rus·es.
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 of cytomegalovirus
Words nearby cytomegalovirus
cytolysin,
cytolysis,
cytolysosome,
cytomegalic,
cytomegalic inclusion disease,
cytomegalovirus,
cytomegalovirus disease,
cytomembrane,
cytometaplasia,
cytometer,
cytometry
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
Abbreviation: CMV
Medical definitions for cytomegalovirus
cytomegalovirus
[ sī′tə-mĕg′ə-lō-vī′rəs ]
n.
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.
visceral disease virus
Scientific definitions for cytomegalovirus
cytomegalovirus
[ sī′tə-mĕg′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.