multiple viral genome search in endolabyrinthic fluids of profoundly deaf patients: possible cytomegalovirus intracochlear reactivation

In the present article we report cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA localization in the inner ear of a 15-month-old deaf boy 1 month after a virologically documented primary infection. CMV DNA retrieval was possible thanks to polymerase chain reaction analysis of the perilymph collected at cochlear implant surgery. To the authors' knowledge this is the first demonstration of CMV persistence in the cochlea of an immunocompetent subject after an acquired infection.