Resticted growth of human cytomegalovirus in UV-irradiated WI-38 human fibroblasts.

The growth of human CMV was inhibited by uv irradiation of cells prior to infection or during the 48-hr latent period of virus replication but not after virus synthesis began. The duration of uv exposure sufficient to inhibit CMV replication was insufficient to inhibit replication of Herpes simplex and did not prevent uninfected cells from dividing normally. The effect of uv irradiation on CMV replication may have been mediated through prevention of the virus on host cell RNA(s) synthesis.