Latent Infection and the Elusive Cytomegalovirus

摘要: Herpesviruses characteristically establish latent infections in their hosts. In some instances, the tissue sites or even specific cells that harbor dormant virus have been identified experimentally. However, of cytomegalovirus (CMV) latency difficult to define experimentally humans, though epidemiologic evidence indicates undetectable can be transferred from donor recipient transfused blood a transplanted organ. Recently, DNA human CMV has found peripheral leukocytes and normal malignant colonic by hybridization methods. Studies mice strongly implicate splenic B lymphocytes as cellular reservoirs CMV; however, may also persist salivary glands, prostate, testes, blood, possibly macrophages. Whether infection these tissues is maintained single ubiquitous cell type (e.g., macrophages) various types not known. Definition mechanisms involved maintenance essential for thorough understanding pathogenesis infection. Now trials with live vaccine begun, further investigations humans animal models are clearly needed.