The outcome of host-virus interactions is determined by a number of factors, some related\nto the virus, others to the host, such as environmental factors and genetic factors. Therefore, different\nindividuals vary in their relative susceptibility to infections. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is\nan important pathogen from a clinical point of view, as it causes significant morbidity and mortality\nin immunosuppressed or immunosenescent individuals, such as the transplanted patients and the\nelderly, respectively. It is, therefore, important to understand the mechanisms of virus infection\ncontrol. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the immunobiology of HCMV-host\ninteractions, with particular emphasis on the immunogenetic aspects (human leukocyte antigens,\nHLA; killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors, KIRs; immunoglobulin genetic markers, GM\nallotypes) to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the complex host-virus interaction that\ndetermine various outcomes of HCMV infection. The results, which show the role of humoral and\ncellular immunity in the control of infection by HCMV, would be valuable in directing efforts to\nreduce HCMV spurred health complications in the transplanted patients and in the elderly,\nincluding immunosenescence. In addition, concerning GM allotypes, it is intriguing that, in a\nSouthern Italian population, alleles associated with the risk of developing HCMV symptomatic\ninfection are negatively associated with longevity.
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