Cytomegalovirus Pneumonia of Infants in Africa: A Narrative Literature Review

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus pneumonia has repeatedly been described in the context of HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-infected infants. Despite its significant role in the etiology of childhood pneumonia, there is still a paucity of literature generally, and specifically in Africa, suggesting that it might be a neglected disease. Emerging evidence highlights the importance of postnatal transmission through breastmilk. The pathogenetic significance of the multiplicity of strains acquired through repeated re-infections in early infancy is unknown. The development of cheap, accurate diagnostic tools and safe, effective antivirals and the maintenance of effective prevention and treatment of pediatric HIV are needed to manage cytomegalovirus pneumonia in low-resource settings.

Keywords::

• CMV
• early infancy
• HIV-exposed uninfected
• multiple strains
• pneumonitis
• postnatal transmission

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.tandfonline.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/fmb-2021-0147

Author contributions

K Govender conceived, designed, wrote and revised this article and approved the final version for publication; N Msomi, P Moodley and R Parboosing contributed to the content, design and critical revision of this article and approved the final version for publication.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

K Govender received a grant from the South African National Research Foundation, grant number 113351. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

K Govender received a grant from the South African National Research Foundation, grant number 113351. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.