Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
et al., this volume). Many of these aspects of HCMV's silent life are still a matter
of speculation. More robust information is available on the contribution of certain
cell types to viral dissemination and organ infection under conditions when insuf-
ficient immune control allows virus replication to exceed the threshold of clinical
manifestation (see also the chapter by W. Britt, this volume). Conclusions from
analyses of severely ill patients on the behavior of HCMV in the normal host
(Fig. 2) are therefore made, with the provision that an intact immune control may
modify the apparent cell and organ tropism.
Fig. 2
Hypothetical contribution of various cell types to hematogenous dissemination and organ
manifestation as deduced from immunohistochemical findings and cell culture data.
Black dots
represent virus
