title: Persistence of human cytomegalovirus DNA sequences without cell-virus homology in human placental explants in culture.
abstract: Using histopathology, virology, and molecular probing, we investigated the potential of human first-trimester placental tissue to support human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Histopathologic examination of infected placental explants revealed cellular changes characteristic of HCMV infection. Immunohistochemical staining of infected explants with human convalescent sera demonstrated expression of HCMV antigens within the cytotrophoblast. Dot blot hybridization of DNA extracted from infected placental tissue using cloned Hind III "W" fragment of HCMV genome indicated the presence of HCMV sequences without virus-cell homology in infected explants from one to ten days post-infection. In general, the sequences detected by the viral probes increased in abundance with time as infection continued.
authors.affiliation: University of Nevada, Reno.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amirhessami-Aghili
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lahijani
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manalo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: St Jeor
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Tibbitts
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afsari
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000382:microbiology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000382:microbiology; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral