abstract |
The invention provides peptides which are immunogenic epitopes recognized by CD8+ class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes of patients harboring latent cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The peptides are capable of activating CTL in the absence of active viral replication, and thus are useful for eliciting a cellular immune response against HCMV by normal and immunodeficient subjects. Vaccines against HCMV, with and without adjuvants, and immunological and diagnostic reagents are disclosed. |