In this book the current knowledge on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a human pathogen is lucidly summarized, bringing the reader fully up to date with current knowledge concerning HCMV and all the known clincial and medical aspects of diseases caused by, and associated with, HCMV. The book is divided into four parts: (I) Human cytomegalovirus and human diseases; (II) human cytomegalovirus infections and the immunocompromised host; (III) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human cytomegalovirus and human diseases; and (IV) molecular aspects of human cytomegalovirus. Each part is put together from chapters written by experts in the respective fields, providing basic medical and molecular knowledge in addition to more specific understanding of HCMV infections.

In this book the current knowledge on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a human pathogen is lucidly summarized, bringing the reader fully up to date with current knowledge concerning HCMV and all the known clincial and medical aspects of diseases caused by, and associated with, HCMV. The book is divided into four parts: (I) Human cytomegalovirus and human diseases; (II) human cytomegalovirus infections and the immunocompromised host; (III) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human cytomegalovirus and human diseases; and (IV) molecular aspects of human cytomegalovirus. Each part is put together from chapters written by experts in the respective fields, providing basic medical and molecular knowledge in addition to more specific understanding of HCMV infections.

This volume has gathered some of the experts in the field to review aspects of our understanding of CMV and to offer perspectives of the current problems associated with CMV. The editors and authors hope that the chapters will lead to a better understanding of the virus that will assist in the development of new and unique antivirals, a protective vaccine, and a full understanding of CMV's involvement in human disease.

This comprehensive account of the human herpesviruses provides an encyclopedic overview of their basic virology and clinical manifestations. This group of viruses includes human simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein–Barr virus, Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, cytomegalovirus, HHV6A, 6B and 7, and varicella-zoster virus. The viral diseases and cancers they cause are significant and often recurrent. Their prevalence in the developed world accounts for a major burden of disease, and as a result there is a great deal of research into the pathophysiology of infection and immunobiology. Another important area covered within this volume concerns antiviral therapy and the development of vaccines. All these aspects are covered in depth, both scientifically and in terms of clinical guidelines for patient care. The text is illustrated generously throughout and is fully referenced to the latest research and developments.

This new edition explores and provides an update on the biology and pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus infection. Modern techniques that are currently being utilized to investigate the molecular aspects of viral infection, as well as how these new research studies are leading to new approaches to mitigate disease, are also provided. Given the key role the virus plays in significant acute and chronic human disease in all stages of life, from newborns to seniors, the need for clear methodologies to further explore the biology of HCMV infection and mitigation strategies is readily apparent. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Human Cytomegaloviruses: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an ideal scientific reference for basic and clinical scientists and medical personnel on the modern understanding of the pathobiology of the virus, and the approaches, techniques, and models to study human cytomegalovirus infection and disease.

John Sinclair and a panel of expert investigators present a comprehensive collection of cellular and molecular techniques for the analysis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) biology and its pathogenetic mechanisms. The methods-all described in step-by-step detail with ready reproducibility in mind-range from basic virus culture to complex molecular analysis of CMV structure and function. Included are methods for CMV detection using both immunological and biological techniques, methods for analyzing fundamental aspects of the CMV infection cycle, and methods for analyzing T cell response to cytomegalovirus infection in the human host. Comprehensive and state-of-the-art, Cytomegalovirus Protocols provides investigators with a collection of the key methods that are illuminating not only the basic biology of this complex and intriguing human herpesvirus, but also its significant role in human infectious diseases and their emergent therapies.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes severe diseases in immunocompromised patients. CMV-related morbidity is frequently linked to aberrant immune responses occurring locally within the respective tissues including immune-privileged sites such as the retina. There is growing evidence that CMV-related pathomechanisms differ profoundly as a function of cell type and differentiation state of the host cell. This book provides important new insights into CMV-related immunopathology, discusses molecular mechanisms involved in HCMV-mediated tissue injury, CMV latency and reactivation, and presents novel ideas and concepts to develop alternative antiviral drugs. As an important focus, the role of CMV-reactive T cells in protection, pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of HCMV infection is discussed. The contributions to this book are written by leading scientists and clinicians in the field of CMV who participated in the fourth international meeting on CMV-related immunopathology, held in Berlin, September 2002. Comprehensive and up-to-date, this volume is a vital reference for clinicians involved in the diagnosis and treatment of CMV infections, as well as for researchers working in the field of herpesvirus biology and the development of antiviral drugs.