RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To detect whether the primary culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) is susceptible to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection so as to explain how virus from mothers traverses the placenta to fetus. METHODS: Thirty umbilical cords of healthy parturient were used in this study. The HUVEC were harvested with 0.1% collagenase for 15 minutes. The cells were identified by morphology and immunofluorescence. Then the HUVEC were infected with HCMV in vitro. The DNA of cytomegalovirus and protein of infected cells were detected 72 hours later. RESULTS: The HUVEC with adequate quality were harvested, which expressed VIII related antigen. Positive expressions of CMV gB gene and virus proteins were identified in all of the HUVEC infected with HCMV. CONCLUSION: HUVEC is susceptible to HCMV infection, which suggests a possible route of HCMV infection through the fetal-maternal interface.