Models of CMV infection

Herpes viruses characteristically persist within the cells of the immune system. A classic example is cytomegalovirus (CMV), which has coevolved with mammals over millions of years, thus achieving a balance between viral persistence and immune control. Here, we present an overview of CMV biology and infection in different animal species, and how the understanding of host–virus relationship can be exploited to delineate the mechanisms of pathogenesis to develop novel therapeutic strategies to prevent CMV-associated diseases.

Section editors:Enitan Carrol – Malawi–Liverpool–Wellcome Trust Clinical Research, Blantyre and Liverpool, Malawi and UKAndrew Riordan – Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK