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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus
Published on: October 7, 2011
Human cytomegalovirus intrahost evolution-a new avenue for understanding and controlling herpesvirus infections
Nicholas Renzette1, Laura Gibson2, Jeffrey D Jensen3
1Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
Abstract:
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is exquisitely adapted to the human host, and much research has focused on its evolution over long timescales spanning millennia. Here, we review recent data exploring the evolution of the virus on much shorter timescales, on the order of days or months. We describe the intrahost genetic diversity of the virus isolated from humans, and how this diversity contributes to HCMV spatiotemporal evolution. We propose mechanisms to explain the high levels of intrahost diversity and discuss how this new information may shed light on HCMV infection and pathogenesis.
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