The co-speciation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with its human host has enabled this human pathogen to evolve multiple mechanisms to allow it to be carried, generally sub-clinically, for the lifetime of the host in the face of a robust immune response. Preface.

摘要

The co-speciation of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with its human host has enabled this human pathogen to evolve multiple mechanisms to allow it to be carried, generally sub-clinically, for the lifetime of the host in the face of a robust immune response. This life-long carriage is maintained by low-level persistence as well as by latent infection and involves host/virus interactions which are necessarily diverse and complex. These interactions ensure conditions whereby virus is able to maximise viral carriage and dissemination whilst avoiding immunesurveillance. It must be said that, in the case of HCMV, this generally results in an innocuous balance between the host and the virus unless the balance is upset by, for instance, disruption of host immunity.