Leader

Investigation of CMV disease in immunocompromised patients

V C Emery

Department of Virology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK

Correspondence to:
Professor Emery v.emery{at}rfc.ucl.ac.uk

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a recognised cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. This review will concentrate on recent advances in the understanding of the complex interplay between the host and parasite and the pathological consequences of perturbation of the host immune system. The classic view of CMV as a slowly replicating virus is challenged by recent in vivo findings suggesting that active replication occurs dynamically in the human host, with a doubling time of approximately one day. In addition, CMV load plays a major role in viral pathogenesis, such that increased CMV replication is a significant risk factor for disease in all immunocompromised groups studied to date. These studies focus attention on understanding the virological and immunological determinants of enhanced viral replication and its pathological consequences.

Key Words: polymerase chain reaction • quantitation • inclusion bodies • antiviral chemotherapy

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