Viral replication is nuclear, and is lysogenic. Entry into the host cell is achieved by attachment of the viral glycoproteins to host receptors, which mediates endocytosis. Replication follows the dsDNA bidirectional replication model. DNA templated transcription, with some alternative splicing mechanism is the method of transcription. Translation takes place by leaky scanning. The virus exits the host cell by nuclear egress and budding. Betaherpesviruses typically have highly restricted host ranges, although essentially all mammals, reptiles, and birds are infected with at least one betaherpesvirus species. Transmission routes are transplacental, transplantation, blood transfusion, body fluids, urine, and saliva. This is different from
Alphaherpesvirinae, which establish latency in
neurons, and
Gammaherpesvirinae, which establish latency in memory B cells. == Human health ==