The present invention relates to the field of virology. More specifically, the present invention provides compositions and methods useful for diagnosing and treating human cytomegalovirus. In one embodiment, a method for identifying a subject as susceptible to or likely to develop a human cytomegalovirus infection comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a biological sample from the subject; (b) performing an assay on the sample obtained from the subject to identify a mutation in NOD1 and/or NOD2; and (c) identifying the subject as susceptible to likely to develop human cytomegalovirus infection if the NOD1 and/or NOD2 mutation is identified.