Interrelationships between human immunodeficiency virus and cytomegalovirus.

The herpesvirus cytomegalovirus (CMV) appears to be a selective opportunistic infection of AIDS patients, as demonstrated by its high prevalence in those diagnosed with AIDS and those at high risk for the disease. There are several features common to the two viruses, including infection of lymphoid cells, ability to remain latent and/or abortively infect host cells, sexual transmission, and immunosuppressive properties. Furthermore, the two viruses may uniquely interact at the molecular level through transactivation of heterologous genes by regulatory proteins from each virus. These two viruses may therefore establish a unique relationship within infected persons, with each virus contributing to the pathogenesis of the other.