Human cytomegalovirus: clinical aspects, immune regulation, and emerging treatments.
After initial infection, human cytomegalovirus remains in a persistent state with the host. Immunity against the virus controls replication, although intermitent viral shedding can still take place in the seropositive immunocompetent person. Replication of cytomegalovirus in the absence of an effective immune response is central to the pathogenesis of disease. Therefore, complications are primarily seen in individuals whose immune system is immature, or is suppressed by drug treatment or coinfection with other pathogens. Although our increasing knowledge of the host-virus relationship has lead to the development of new pharmacological strategies for cytomegalovirus-associated infections, these strategies all have limitations-eg, drug toxicities, development of resistance, poor oral bioavailability, and low potency. Immune-based therapies to complement pharmacological strategies for the successful treatment of virus-associated complications should be prospectively investigated.
Gandhi
Maher K
MK
Tumour Immunology Laboratory at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
Khanna
Rajiv
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D014779:Virus Replication; D017201:Virus Shedding
D000998:Antiviral Agents