In this book the current knowledge on human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) as a human pathogen is lucidly summarized, bringingthe reader fully up to date with current knowledgeconcerning HCMV and all the known clincial and medicalaspects of diseases caused by, and associated with, HCMV.The book is divided into four parts: (I) Humancytomegalovirus and human diseases; (II) humancytomegalovirus infections and the immunocompromised host;(III) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of humancytomegalovirus and human diseases; and (IV) molecularaspects of human cytomegalovirus. Each part is put togetherfrom chapters written by experts in the respective fields,providing basic medical and molecular knowledge in additionto more specific understanding of HCMV infections.