title: The impact of CMV infection on survival in older humans.
abstract: Dysregulated immunity, 'immunosenescence', in the elderly is thought to contribute to their increased susceptibility to infectious disease and to impact on mortality. Accepted hallmarks of human immunosenescence are low numbers and frequencies of naïve T cells and higher numbers and frequencies of memory T cells in the peripheral blood of the elderly compared to the young. The proportion of the population infected with CMV increases with age and markedly influences these parameters. Infection with this persistent β-herpesvirus may therefore indirectly impact on survival in the elderly. Recent evidence pertaining to this controversial proposal is reviewed here.
authors.affiliation: Tübingen Ageing and Tumour Immunology Group, Center for Medical Research, University of Tübingen Clinical School, Waldhoernlestr. 22, D-72072 Tuebingen, Germany. grahampawelec@aol.com
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pawelec
authors.forename: Janet E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McElhaney
authors.forename: Allison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Aiello
authors.forename: Evelyna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Derhovanessian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D015996:Survival Rate; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*