CMVsusceptible

CMVsusceptible, often written CMV-susceptible or CMVsusceptible, is a term used in virology and related biomedical fields to describe cells, tissues, organisms, or host contexts that are permissive to infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV). In this sense, CMV-susceptible elements support viral entry, replication, and production of progeny, as opposed to CMV-resistant or non-permissive systems where infection is inefficient or blocked.

In laboratory settings, susceptibility is largely determined by cell type and viral tropism. Human fibroblasts, for example, are commonly highly permissive to CMV replication, while other cell types may require particular viral components, such as the pentameric complex, to establish infection. Susceptibility is influenced by factors including surface receptors and co-factors, intracellular environments that support viral gene expression, and the host cell’s innate immune responses.

Experimentally, researchers assess CMV susceptibility through infection assays that measure cytopathic effects, viral antigen expression, or production of infectious progeny. Common readouts include plaque assays and plaque-forming units (PFU), quantitative PCR for viral genomes, and reporter gene–based readouts. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) and time-course analyses help characterize the degree and kinetics of susceptibility across cell lines or tissue models.

In broader contexts, CMV susceptibility also relates to organismal or clinical factors. Immunocompromised individuals (such as transplant recipients or people with advanced HIV) exhibit higher susceptibility to CMV disease, reflecting the role of host immunity in controlling CMV rather than a purely cellular property.

Safety considerations for working with CMV include adherence to appropriate biosafety levels, typically BSL-2, and established institutional guidelines.