98. Family Herpesviridae – Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr Virus
Introduces the herpesviruses as enveloped DNA viruses with latency and reactivation, then takes cytomegalovirus through its transmission, immune evasion, congenital and immunocompromised disease, diagnosis and treatment. Epstein-Barr virus follows, covering B-cell infection, mononucleosis, associated malignancies and tests, and the note closes with HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8. It includes a list of human herpesviruses with their numbers and a 'owl's eye' and 'pizza pie retina' clinical descriptions.
Topic 98 of 113 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Microbiology (Medicine, Year 3). The free AceMed note covers it in 5 sections, about 344 words (3 min of reading), with 16 flashcards.
In this note
Family Herpesviridae – Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and Other Human Herpesviruses
I. Overview: Herpesviridae Family
II. Cytomegalovirus (CMV / HHV-5)
III. Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV / HHV-4)
IV. Other Human Herpesviruses
I. Overview: Herpesviridae Family
Enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses.
Nuclear replication; form intranuclear inclusion bodies.
Capable of latency and reactivation.
Human herpesviruses (HHV):
HSV-1 (HHV-1), HSV-2 (HHV-2)
VZV (HHV-3)
CMV (HHV-5)
EBV (HHV-4)
HHV-6, HHV-7 – roseola
HHV-8 – Kaposi sarcoma
II. Cytomegalovirus (CMV / HHV-5)
A. General Characteristics
Largest genome among herpesviruses.
Latency: monocytes, macrophages, bone marrow progenitors.
Transmission:
Vertical (placenta, birth, breast milk)
Sexual, saliva, blood transfusion, organ transplant.
Common in immunocompromised patients.
B. Pathogenesis
Infects endothelial, epithelial, and immune cells.
Evades immunity:
Downregulates MHC I
Encodes IL-10 homolog to suppress immune response.
Latency in mononuclear cells with periodic reactivation.
