CMV is the largest and most complex member of the Herpesviridae family of DNA viruses. The genome is composed of a linear double-stranded DNA, approximately 240 kilobases in size (150xl0 daltons), and is capable of isomer-ization. The genome has been completely sequenced and shown to contain non-overlapping open-reading frames for more than 200 potentially immunologic [...]

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most frequent congenital infection worldwide and is diverse in its clinical manifestations. The fetus can be infected by either a newly acquired (primary) maternal infection or a recurrent (reactivated) maternal infection. The likelihood of fetal infection and the risk of associated damage and sequelae is higher after a primary infection. [...]