AI Summary
major breakthrough in the efficient and cost-effective screening of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. The use of pooled saliva testing has proven to be a sensitive method for early detection of cCMV, even in asymptomatic cases, highlighting its potential to revolutionize cCMV screening globally and improve long-term outcomes for affected infants. The study's findings underscore the importance of early intervention in addressing cCMV, a prevalent cause of hearing loss and developmental issues in newborns. With tens of thousands of infants affected annually by cCMV worldwide, the introduction of pooled saliva PCR tests for universal screening represents a significant advancement in the field of pediatric infectious diseases.
New study displays successful implementation of pooled saliva tests for universal screening of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. This approach demonstrates the wide feasibility and benefits of using pooled saliva testing as an efficient, cost-saving, and sensitive method for identifying cCMV in newborns. The study emphasizes the significance of early detection through this method, especially for asymptomatic cases, highlighting its potential to revolutionize cCMV screening worldwide and improve the long-term outcomes for affected infants by enabling timely interventions.
In a recent study, Professors Dana G. Wolf from Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center and the Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, and Moran Yassour from the Hebrew University, along with their teams and the Hadassah Neonatology team headed by Professor Smadar Eventov-Friedman, have successfully introduced pooled saliva polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the universal screening of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. This new method helps detect and intervene early in the most common congenital infection, known for causing hearing loss and developmental problems.
Each year, tens of thousands of newborns are affected by cCMV infection, making it a leading cause of childhood neurologic deficits with lifelong implications. The global burden of cCMV is significant, and the absence of a universal screening method has posed challenges in promptly identifying and addressing cases. Current screening methods focus on high-risk cases, but this misses many asymptomatic infants. With a birth prevalence of 3.4 per 1,000 in the studied population, the successful implementation of pooled saliva tests, as demonstrated by the study, signifies a