Human cytomegalovirus
.jpg){kind=link}
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.
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]