ABSTRACT
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the human herpesviruses; all are highly successful intracellular parasites of humans. With the exception of varicella virus, they cause asymptomatic or mild primary infections, establish latent infections in their hosts, can periodically reactivate and infect other susceptible hosts, and persist lifelong. As long as the host’s immune system is uncompromised, the balance between virus and host is maintained. However, immunosuppression induced by disease or therapy can alter the balance between virus and host, resulting in systemic virus infection and concomitant disease.
