Opinion article: cytomegalovirus is a risk factor in atherogenesis.
Whether or not infectious agents are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been a matter of discussion for the past 2 decades. Although there is no definite proof of a causal role of human cytomegalovirus in atherogenesis, a body of knowledge supports the concept that this virus is involved in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. This review assesses the most important data published in support of this hypothesis.
Reinhardt
Barbara
B
Department of Virology, University Clinic of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Minisini
Rosalba
R
Mertens
Thomas
T
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D012307:Risk Factors
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral