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Synopsis
Human cytomegalovirus is a major cause of disease in immunocompromised individuals, such as those undergoing solid organ of bone marrow transplants, and in utero can cause congenital malformations that can lead to deafness and mental retardation. As well as being a clinical concern and a target for antiviral research, cytomegalovirus is of interest to scientist, particularly to those studying the mechanism by which latency and reactivation are controlled in infected cells and how the virus can persist despite the host's immune response.
Christopher J. Harrison
This is a first edition in the series Methods in Molecular Medicine. There are ten chapters, each with a focus on a particular method/procedure. Each chapter contains an introductory background section followed by sections of materials and then methods. Special tips are found in a notes section, followed by references. The book is a compilation by experts in each field of the method used to perform a molecular assay with HCMV in the editor's lab. The objective appears to be to provide basic protocols with specific adaptations of general protocols for scientists interested in molecular study of HCMV. This is an attempt to allow a person reasonably conversant in molecular techniques the ability to bring these assays to labs not currently using them. The editor achieves his goal, if unevenly. Bench investigators interested in developing new or adapting established assays to HCMV are the target audience -- whether at the student, post-doc, or faculty level. The contributors are recognized experts in their fields and the notes section of the chapters contain invaluable tips for those attempting these assays for the first time. Fairly detailed protocols with essential background material and seminal references for methods are discussed, ranging from immunologic and biochemical assays to techniques such as transfection and recombinant viral constructs. There is also a section on use of assays for investigations of the actions and effects of anti-HCMV agents. The book is clearly written; the best parts are the background introductions and the notes sections. The sections with examples and figures are the most useful (e.g., Chapter 6 on protein-protein interactions). More illustrations,specific examples, and sources for HCMV antibodies and constructs would enhance the book. Interested readers would go to the section of interest for the specific assay, but the most benefit is derived from reading the entire book. Some sections have little depth in comparison to other sections on a different assay or technique. Still, this is a worthwhile addition to the library or personal collection of scientists, whenever HCMV or other herpes virus bench research is performed. It is a relatively inexpensive collection of useful and reasonably detailed assays with cogent pitfalls described. The specificity to HCMV (which could translate to other herpes viruses) is a strength, but this book is not as detailed or broad-based as larger volumes such as the Wiley Interscience Current Protocols series.