CMV DETAIL (Improving iDEntification of maTernAl CMV reInfection and characterization of congenitaL CMV strains)

The CMV DETAIL project is being conducted by the RID program to better understand the importance and role of maternal (re)infection with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the development of congenital CMV (cCMV). cCMV can cause prematurity, low birth weight, jaundice, rash, small head circumference, and enlargement of the liver and spleen at birth. It can also cause hearing loss and developmental delays several months or years after birth. CMV is the most common congenital infection (infection of infant during pregnancy/delivery) around the world, which has resulted in an enormous burden of childhood hearing loss and neurodevelopmental delay being attributed to this virus. This large impact of the virus has prompted the researchers at the RID program to want to better understand how often a mother/parent is infected with a new type of CMV during pregnancy, and which types of CMV result in their infant being infected.

Study data will be collected both retrospectively and prospectively. Previous lab-confirmed cases of congenital CMV infection in BC from 2018-July 2023 will be used, as well as future/on-going cases of diagnosed maternal CMV infection in BC from July 2023-December 2024. Maternal and infant blood samples collected as part of the standard clinical pre-natal/neo-natal care for study participants will be analyzed, as well as medical information from participant maternal/infant medical records. The information gained from this project will help inform future CMV prevention methods and determine which types of CMV should be considered for the development of vaccines in the future.

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Primary Investigator: Dr. Elisabeth McClymont, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Departments of Pediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of British Columbia

For further information, please email Dr. Elisabeth McClymont at elisabeth.mcclymont@cw.bc.ca or study manager Emma Karlsen at emma.karlsen@cw.bc.ca

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For further supporting information please reference the sections below