Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Congenital Cytomegaloviral Infection Causing Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in a Newborn with a HIV Seropositive Mother - A Case Report from Eastern India

Abstract

Aroni Chatterjee, Sabbir Ansari, Agniswar Sarkar, Lopamudra Mishra, Mala Bhattacharya, Sanath Kumar Ghosh and Nilanjan Chakraborty

Mother-to-child transmission is considered to be the main cause of HIV infection in children below 10 years of age. Several opportunist pathogens take the advantage of this compromised immune condition and manifest their deadly effects. Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of the most dreaded opportunist pathogen associated with HIV infection and perhaps the leading cause of congenital infection in the world. In this study we report a very interesting case where a HIV seropositive woman delivers a HIV seronegative child who suffered from pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary interstitial emphysema from the time of birth due to congenital cytomegaloviral infection. This case report suggests that suitable prophylactic measures should be taken by pregnant women especially when they are in an immunocompromised condition to evade being targeted by HCMV and prevent its vertical transmission. Early diagnosis, intravenous gancyclovir administration along with ionotropic support, mechanical ventilation and other respiratory supports is irreplaceable for treating this condition.