HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS - REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN 1970 AND 1976 .2. EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENTS

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • review article
    • Vol. 26  (2) , 86-97
Abstract
Over the last 6 yr, knowledge of the basic characteristics of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been greatly enhanced, especially concerning the microbiology of this virus. DNA relatedness studies show that there is 80% homology between different strains, regardless of their origin. Studies on the relationships between HCMV and host-cell metabolism reveal that it induces a virus specific and a cellular DNA polymerase, stimulates rRNA, induces early protein synthesis and results in the liberation of intrinsic interferon. The sequence of appearance of virus-specific antigens, and the presence of virus-induced IgG[immunoglobulin G]-Fc receptors has been described. New morphological aspects of the virus itself, and of the lesions which it provokes, have been observed. Evidence is also accumulating in favor of the oncogenic potential of this virus. These basic aspects of HCMV are presented and discussed herein, along with the effects of various drugs and supra-optimal temperature on the virus and the possibility of preparing a vaccine against it.