Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a cellular threshold that may determine whether a herpesvirus causes an active infection or remains dormant inside the body.
The findings, announced on September 13, 2026, reveal that the outcome of an infection depends partly on the number of viral particles entering an individual cell.
When the number of viral particles remains below a certain threshold, the virus may enter a latent state without producing an active infection. When that threshold is exceeded, the virus begins replicating and spreading to other cells.
The study focused on human cytomegalovirus, or HCMV, a member of the herpesvirus family. HCMV infects a large proportion of the global population and usually causes no symptoms. However, it can become dangerous in people with weakened immune systems and during pregnancy, as congenital infection may cause developmental complications and hearing loss.
The researchers also identified a specific protein on the surface of immune cells that helps cytomegalovirus enter them. Removing this protein significantly reduced the rate of active infection.
This discovery could contribute to the future development of new antiviral treatments and preventive strategies against cytomegalovirus. It may also help scientists better understand how latent viral infections reactivate in immunocompromised patients.
Source: Weizmann Institute of Science