Which statement about CMV infection is true?

Which statement about CMV infection is true?

• A. CMV retinitis occurs in all HIV patients
• B. HHV5; present in most people (about 70%)
• C. CMV cannot cause disease in immunocompromised individuals
• D. CMV has no latent phase

Answer: (B)

CMV is a herpesvirus (HHV-5) that establishes lifelong latent infection after the initial exposure. Most adults have been infected, with seroprevalence commonly around 70% in many populations. The virus hides in body cells and can reactivate when immunity drops, which is why it can cause disease mainly in immunocompromised individuals (for example, CMV retinitis, pneumonitis, or colitis). The statement that HHV5 is present in most people (~70%) correctly reflects how widespread CMV infection is. The other options are inaccurate because CMV retinitis is not universal in all HIV patients, CMV can and does cause disease in people with weakened immune systems, and CMV does have a latent phase.

CMV is a herpesvirus (HHV-5) that establishes lifelong latent infection after the initial exposure. Most adults have been infected, with seroprevalence commonly around 70% in many populations. The virus hides in body cells and can reactivate when immunity drops, which is why it can cause disease mainly in immunocompromised individuals (for example, CMV retinitis, pneumonitis, or colitis). The statement that HHV5 is present in most people (~70%) correctly reflects how widespread CMV infection is. The other options are inaccurate because CMV retinitis is not universal in all HIV patients, CMV can and does cause disease in people with weakened immune systems, and CMV does have a latent phase.