- H Hengel: Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Dept of Virology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. hengel@lmb.uni-muenchen.de
Slowly replicating, species-specific and complex DNA viruses, such as cytomegaloviruses (CMVs), which code for > 200 antigenic proteins, should be easy prey to the host's immune system. Yet, CMVs are amazingly adapted opportunists that cope with multiple immune responses. Frequently, CMVs exploit immune mechanisms generated by the host. These strategies secure the persistence of CMVs and provide opportunities to spread to naive individuals.