Abstract

In this introduction, we summarize the research papers, review articles, opinion pieces and important aspects of the facilitated discussion from the meeting ‘The indirect effects of cytomegalovirus infection: mechanisms and consequences’ held at the Royal Society, London, on 14–15 October 2024. The term ‘indirect effects’ describes a statistical excess of pathologies seen in people with human cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the absence of histopathological hallmarks of direct CMV tissue damage. This meeting brought together laboratory scientists, paediatric and adult clinical academics, epidemiologists, and trialists, to discuss the latest research on indirect effects, from biological mechanisms to potential clinical consequences. Important questions regarding the impact of CMV remain unanswered in areas important to human health, such as preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, asymptomatic congenital infection, susceptibility to non-CMV infections, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, transplant, cancer and mental health. Further research is needed to better describe the biology and, critically, to robustly quantify its clinical impact and develop interventions to mitigate any harms. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘The indirect effects of cytomegalovirus infection: mechanisms and consequences’.