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Diagnosis and Treatment of Viral Infections in Children: HIV and...
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Diagnosis and Treatment of Viral Infections in Children: HIV and Cytomegalovirus

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Infectious Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 998

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Selina Pasquero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Medical School, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
Interests: microbiology; virology; herpesviruses; coronaviruses; oncovirus; antiviral therapy; antiviral molecules; host-targete antivirals; post-translational modifications; citrullination; deimination; peptidyl-arginine deiminases enzymes; senescence; antiviral restriction factors; innate immunity; cellular senescence.

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viral infections, particularly HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV), represent significant challenges in pediatric healthcare, contributing to substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Children are particularly vulnerable to these infections due to immature immune systems, limited access to early diagnostic tools, and the complexity of therapeutic regimens. While advances in antiretroviral therapies and antiviral drugs have improved outcomes, there remain gaps in the early diagnosis, personalized treatment strategies, and long-term management of these infections.

This Special Issue aims to explore innovative approaches and emerging trends in the management of pediatric HIV and CMV infections. The objective is to bring together contributions that advance our understanding of these infections, from epidemiology and pathogenesis to cutting-edge diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic interventions.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles, review articles, case studies, and short communications. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Advances in molecular diagnostics and biomarkers for HIV and CMV in children;
  • Innovations in antiretroviral and antiviral therapies for children;
  • Mechanisms of vertical transmission and strategies for prevention;
  • Immune response and immunomodulatory therapies in pediatric populations;
  • Challenges in managing co-infections and comorbidities;
  • Public health strategies to reduce the burden of HIV and CMV in resource-limited settings;
  • Long-term outcomes and quality of life in children living with HIV or CMV.
Dr. Selina Pasquero
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric viral infections
  • HIV
  • cytomegalovirus
  • diagnostics
  • antiretroviral therapy
  • immunology
  • vertical transmission
  • molecular biomarkers
  • antiviral treatment

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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15 pages, 239 KB  
Case Report
Clinical Presentation of Postnatally Acquired Cytomegalovirus Infection in Preterm Infants—A Case Series Report
by Dobrochna Wojciechowska, Dominika Galli, Justyna Kowalczewska, Tomasz Szczapa and Katarzyna Ewa Wróblewska-Seniuk
Children 2025, 12(7), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070900 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 788
Abstract
Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital and acquired viral infections in newborns. While acquired infections are often asymptomatic, premature infants—especially those born before 30 weeks of gestation or with a very low birth weight (<1500 g)—are at an [...] Read more.
Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital and acquired viral infections in newborns. While acquired infections are often asymptomatic, premature infants—especially those born before 30 weeks of gestation or with a very low birth weight (<1500 g)—are at an increased risk for severe infections. These can manifest as thrombocytopenia, liver failure, sepsis-like symptoms, and, in rare cases, death. HCMV is transmitted through various human secretions, including breast milk, which is the optimal feeding method for premature infants. Methods: We present five premature neonates, born between 23 and 26 weeks of gestation, each with a distinct clinical presentation of acquired HCMV infection. Results: All infants tested negative for congenital CMV infection via molecular urine testing within the first three weeks of life. Acquired infection was diagnosed between the second and third month of life, with symptoms such as septic shock, persistent thrombocytopenia, and signs of liver failure. Each infant received antiviral treatment along with regular viral load monitoring. Unfortunately, one patient died due to complications of prematurity. The remaining infants were discharged and continue to receive follow-up care in an outpatient clinic. Conclusions: These cases of postnatally acquired CMV infection aim to increase awareness of its highly heterogeneous and nonspecific clinical presentation, which may result in an incorrect, delayed, or concealed diagnosis. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on how to manage the presence of the virus in maternal breast milk, particularly for premature infants. It should be recommended to perform a molecular CMV test in all breast-fed preterm infants who present with sepsis-like symptoms, thrombocytopenia, liver failure, or other organ involvement. In case of a confirmed aCMV diagnosis, appropriate treatment should be introduced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Treatment of Viral Infections in Children: HIV and Cytomegalovirus)
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