HCMV (human cytomegalovirus)
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Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the Herpesvirus family. The virus has a double stranded DNA genome that is covered with an iscodeltahedral shaped protein complex that is known as the capsid. The DNA and the capsid together make up the nucleocapsid which is then coated with a layer of protein known as the tegument. The tegumented nucleocapisd is surrounded by a lipid bilayer called the envelope.
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[edit] Human infection
HCMV is the most common cause of congenital infection in humans and intrauterine primary infections are second only to Down's syndrome as a known cause of mental retardation. Moreover, HCMV is highly pathogenic in immunocompromised individuals, such as HIV/infected people and transpant recipients.[1] Herpesviruses, HCMV in particular, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. HCMV and possibly other herpesviruses contribute to the onset and/or progression of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. [2]
[edit] Infection
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can cause maldevelopment of the central nervous system of embryos and neonates. HCMV can be fatal to immunocompromised adults, for example, organ transplant recipients and patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Furthermore, the virus is indirectly involved in the etiology of certain tumor types (e.g., by the synergistic interaction with tumor-inducing viruses), indicating its role in the coregulation of cellular proliferation.
HCMV infections are generally treated with the nucleoside nucleotide analogues ganciclovir (GCV) and cidofovir (CDV) or the inorganic pyrophosphate analogue foscarnet ,all of which cause adverse side effects and reveal low oral bioavailability. In addition, the therapeutic effectiveness is frequently compromised by the emergence of drug-resistant virus isolates. A variety of amino acid changes in the UL97 protein kinase and the viral DNA polymerase have been reported to cause drug resistance. For this reason, the identification of novel drugs with activity towards drug-resistant HCMV variants with low level of toxic side effects is urgently needed.
[edit] References
J Mol Med (2002) 80:233–242
- ^ (Article: Bio Protection And Licencing in Europe, p.5, Les Nouvelles, March 2000, ISSN 0270-174X)
- ^ (article: human Herpesviridae in acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis in children in Nigeria. Contreras A, Falkler WA Jr, Enwonwu CO
