Clinical isolates of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) display polymorphisms in multiple genes. Some authors have suggested that polymorphisms are implicated in HCMV-induced immunopathogenesis, as well as in strain-specific behaviors, such as tissue-tropism and the ability to establish persistent or latent infections.
Virus Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36, Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, PR China.