Cytomegalovirus Serostatus and Outcome in Critically Ill Patients

In a large, retrospective study, 64% of critically ill patients were CMV positive, but CMV serostatus was not associated with outcome.

After primary infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains latent in the body and can reactivate during periods of immunocompromise. Recently, several researchers have reported high rates of CMV reactivation in nonimmunocompromised critically ill patients, and at least two investigations have suggested that reactivation is associated with worse outcomes in such individuals (JW Infect Dis Jan 7 2009 and Feb 28 2005).

Now, researchers in Belgium have explored the hypothesis that CMV-negative individuals fare better (because CMV reactivation cannot occur). They used stored serum samples to determine the CMV serostatus of nonimmunocompromised critically ill patients who had been enrolled in two studies on tight glycemic control. Among 1504 patients …

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection