Opinion article: cytomegalovirus is a risk factor in atherogenesis.

Whether or not infectious agents are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been a matter of discussion for the past 2 decades. Although there is no definite proof of a causal role of human cytomegalovirus in atherogenesis, a body of knowledge supports the concept that this virus is involved in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. This review assesses the most important data published in support of this hypothesis.