See text Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (from cyto- 'cell' via Greek κύτος kútos- 'container' + μέγας mégas 'big, megalo-' + -virus via Latin vīrus 'poison') is a genus of viruses in the order Herpesvirales, in the family Herpesviridae,[3] in the subfamily Betaherpesvirinae.

Diseases associated with HHV-5 include mononucleosis and pneumonia,[4][5] and congenital CMV in infants can lead to deafness and ambulatory problems.

[13] The following 11 species are assigned to the genus in ICTV 2022:[5] Viruses in Cytomegalovirus are enveloped, with icosahedral, spherical to pleomorphic, and round geometries, and T=16 symmetry.

For instance, the double‑stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome of wild-type HCMV strains has a size of around 235 kb and encodes at least 208 proteins.

Transmission routes are dependent on coming into contact with bodily fluids (such as saliva, urine, and genital secretions) from an infected individual.

Although they may be found throughout the body, CMV infections are frequently associated with the salivary glands in humans and other mammals.

[17] Years later, between 1956 and 1957, Thomas Huckle Weller together with Smith and Rowe independently isolated the virus, known thereafter as "cytomegalovirus".