In article <2ub7qc$95g at search01.news.aol.com>
robert1049 at aol.com (Robert1049) writes:
> Can someone please explain the cytomegalovirus to me? How does it
> work? What effects does it have upon the body? What are the
> physiological and clinical results of exposure to this virus? Is the
> immune system compromised?
CMV is a beta-herpes virus. Once in the host cells (by a mechanism
that is not fully understood), it will remain latent until such time
that the body becomes immunosuppressed. This has to be a "large scale"
type immunocompromised state as I understand, not just stress or the
like (eg HSV) rather, like AIDS or organ transplant. There it is an
extremely common cause of death (eg in _Philadelphia_), usually through
a pneumocystic pneumonia. CMV also causes birth defects (is a leading
cause actually), often problems with the eyes. That's pretty much all
of the clinical side of this virus I am readily familiar with (I work
with it at the entry level in vitro).
Hope this helps.
Chad Carlson
UW-Madison
