Cytomegaloviruses: Simian Cytomegaloviruses

Probably all nonhuman primates harbor ubiquitous but largely inapparent latent or persistent infections with host-species-specific cytomegaloviruses (CMVs). Research with CMVs from chimpanzee, rhesus macaque, baboon, African green monkey, and tree shrew has revealed many similarities to and differences from the better-studied human CMV. All primate CMVs are classified in genus Cytomegalovirus in the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae of the family Herpesviridae, and are typified by the formation of large nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in lytically infected cells. Aspects of the gene content, gene expression, and growth in cell culture of these viruses are described.