What type of microorganism is Cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is classified as a virus, which is a type of microorganism that can only replicate within the living host cells of plants, animals, or humans. Unlike bacteria, which can reproduce independently and are generally larger, viruses rely on hijacking the host's cellular machinery to reproduce. This is key to understanding how CMV operates; it can cause infections that may be asymptomatic or lead to serious health issues, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. CMV is part of the herpesvirus family and is known to establish latent infections in the host, a characteristic typical of viral pathogens. By recognizing CMV as a virus, one can appreciate its unique characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms, distinguishing it from other types of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.