Certain human genes have been found to be induced or repressed in host cells infected with HCMV. A large set of such genes has been identified. These have diagnostic use in determining the extent of tissue damage caused by the infection as well as in determining the stage of disease progression of the HCMV infection. Such genes are likely those involved in mediating the pathology of the infected tissues. Thus by identifying agents which are able to reverse the induction or repression of such genes, one can find candidate therapeutic agents for use in treating and or preventing HCMV-caused disease pathologies.