Antiviral Approach to Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Overview of Conventional and Novel Strategies

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus capable of establishing lifelong persistence in the host through chronic state infection and remains an essential global concern due to its distinct life cycle, mutations, latency. It represents life-threatening pathogen for immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplanted HIV-positive individuals, hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Multiple antiviral approaches are currently available administered order prevent or manage viral infections early stages. However, limitations side effects onset antidrug resistance hurdle their efficacy, especially long-term therapies. Novel molecules, together with innovative (e.g., genetic editing RNA interference) study, promising results performed vitro vivo. Since HCMV virus able establish latent infection, consequential risk reactivation, management could benefit from preventive treatment critical individuals seronegative pregnant women. This review will provide overview conventional clinical mechanisms action. Additionally, proposed developing new molecules provided, including nucleic-acid-based therapies immune-mediated approaches.