Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) occur as silent lifetime infections in the vast majority of people. But when there is immunosuppression they reactivate to cause disease. CMV is particularly problematic in organ transplant recipients and patients with AIDS.
R3-i41-0129 CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN LUNGS
Clinical data: The patient was a 24 year old man who suffered from chronic renal disease. A renal transplant was performed, but despite immunosuppressive therapy his renal function deteriorated. He became pyrexial and developed a staphylococcal septicaemia.
Macroscopically: At post mortem his lungs were dark plum-coloured, with the external surfaces showing prominent lymphatics.
The cut surfaces contained ill-defined pale nodular lesions.
H&E stained lung section showing typical owls-eye inclusions.
Microscopically: Microscopy showed that these lesions were foci of cytomegalovirus infection. (On routine haematoxylin & eosin staining, "owl's eye" intranuclear inclusions are relatively specific for Cytomegalovirus infection.)