What common infection is associated with echogenic bowel in a fetus?

Echogenic bowel in a fetus is most commonly associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. This finding on ultrasound is characterized by an increase in echogenicity of the fetal bowel compared to surrounding structures, which can signal potential underlying conditions. In the context of CMV, the infection can lead to a variety of fetal issues, including growth restriction, microcephaly, and organ involvement, which can present with echogenic bowel as one of the ultrasound markers.

CMV is a member of the herpes virus family and is one of the most prevalent congenital infections, affecting infants worldwide. The presence of echogenic bowel can suggest the possibility of CMV, particularly when accompanied by other ultrasound findings. While other infections listed, such as toxoplasmosis and rubella, do have associations with fetal anomalies, they are not as strongly connected to echogenic bowel as CMV.

In summary, CMV is the infection most commonly linked with echogenic bowel, making it the correct answer in this context.