Adsorption of purified human cytomegalovirus and induction of early antigens in different cells.

Different human and nonhuman cells were assayed for their capacity to absorb human cytomegalovirus (CMV Ad.169) and to support CMV infection in vitro. The CMV adsorptive capacity was assayed by measuring cell-bound radioactivity after addition of purified 3H- or 125I-labeled CMV or by a bioassay for residual infectious virus in the supernatant fluid. Many of the human and nonhuman cell types adsorbed CMV. Induction of CMV early nuclear antigens in the same cells was assayed by anticomplement immunofluorescence staining of fixed cells 1-3 days after infection. CMV early antigens were induced in the human and nonhuman cells that showed a high degree of CMV adsorption.