人巨细胞病毒(human cytomegalovirus, HCMV)是β疱疹病毒家族成员，在人群中感染率极高，全球成人中血清阳性率可达40%～100%。研究表明，HCMV感染患者更易患心脑血管疾病。动脉粥样硬化(atherosclerosis，AS)是心血管系统疾病中危害健康的一种常见病。大量流行病学研究证明，在AS组织中可检测出较高的HCMV DNA和抗原、抗体，同时回顾性研究发现AS患者多有HCMV暴露因素，提示HCMV可能参与AS致病。本文就HCMV致AS的依据和机制进行综述， 为研究HCMV在AS病理过程中的作用提供全新视角。

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a common human pathogen with a high infection rate up to 40%-100% worldwide. Studies have shown that HCMV-infected patients are susceptible to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, in which atherosclerosis (AS) plays a crucial role in the pathological process of multiple cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Larger epidemiologic data also indicate the presence of HCMV DNA and antibody in atherosclerotic plaques and vessel walls. Meanwhile, meta analysis has been conducted to demonstrate HCMV infection is the risk factor of atherosclerosis, which implies HCMV may be associated with the formation and development of atherosclerosis. In this review, the contribution of HCMV to vascular pathology with particular focus on atherosclerosis is reviewed.