Cytomegalovirus (sometimes called
Betaherpesvirinae) is a
subfamily of
viruses in the family
Herpesviridae. The viruses of this group are characterized by a long
replication cycle (equivalent to the life cycles of true living things) and a narrow range of
hosts (per virus). The viruses infect the
kidneys and
salivary glands of a number of
vertebrate species, including
humans.
From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.