Virus-Host-Interaction

Herpesviruses cause lifelong infections in humans and animals and are controlled by the immune system. Serious disease occurs predominantly in immunologically immature or immunosupressed hosts. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes mild infections in healthy individuals, but can cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients (e.g., solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients). The virus can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregancy and is a leading infectious cause of birth defects.