Cytomegalovirus: Biology and Infection 2021

Dear Colleagues,

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a β-herpesvirus with the largest dsDNA genome of all known human viruses (~235,000 bp). Although initial HCMV infection is usually associated with mild symptoms in healthy individuals, it can cause severe and sometimes fatal diseases in immunocompromised individuals (e.g., transplant recipients and AIDS patients) and neonates upon congenital or acquired infection. Even though a vaccine is not yet available, different compounds are currently licensed to treat established HCMV infections. However, despite encouraging clinical outcomes, their use has been hampered by major associated adverse effects and the emergence of antiviral-resistant HCMV strains, especially in immunocompromised patients. One aspect of HCMV biology that has recently emerged is the high level of intra-host genetic variability, comparable to that of RNA viruses. Throughout evolution, this variability helped the virus to acquire a sophisticated repertoire of immune escape mechanisms, enabling infected cells to subvert immune recognition and thereby maintain the progression of infection.

The aim of this Special Issue is to give an overall picture of all aspects of HCMV biology, with particular emphasis on virus–host interaction. For this purpose, we welcome the submission of research articles, review articles, and short communications related to the various aspects of HCMV infection: virus–host interactions (pathogenesis and related diseases, immunity, tropism, and metabolism), therapy and prevention, and virus biology (replication, genome variability, and evolution).  

We believe that this Special Issue will give an updated insight into the exciting field of HCMV biology and hope that it will inspire new research activities.

As Guest Editor of this Special Issue, I look forward to reviewing your submissions and, together, defining the present state of the science.

Dr. Valentina Dell'Oste
Guest Editor

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• human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)
• pathogenesis and related diseases
• innate/adaptative immunity
• genome variability/evolution
• antiviral treatments/vaccines
• tropism
• metabolism

• Cytomegalovirus: Biology and Infection in Microorganisms (15 articles)