Cytomegalovirus infection with perfusion defects on the lung scan

Genetic Predisposition of Anti-Cytomegalovirus Immunoglobulin G Levels and the Risk of 9 Cardiovascular Diseases

Background

Accumulating evidence has indicated that persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is associated with several cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. However, whether there is a causal association between the level of anti-HCMV immune response and the risk of cardiovascular diseases remains unknown.

Methods

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels were used as instrumental variables to estimate the causal effect of anti-cytomegalovirus IgG levels on 9 cardiovascular diseases (including atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, rheumatic valve diseases, and non-rheumatic valve diseases). For each cardiovascular disease, Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were performed. Inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis (IVW) with a random-effects model was used as a principal analysis. In addition to this, the weighted median approach and MR-Egger method were used for further sensitivity analysis.

Results

In the IVW analysis, genetically predicted anti-cytomegalovirus IgG levels were suggestively associated with coronary artery disease with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.076 [95% CI, 1.009–1.147; p = 0.025], peripheral artery disease (OR 1.709; 95% CI, 1.039–2.812; p = 0.035), and deep vein thrombosis (OR 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000–1.004; p = 0.025). In the further analysis, similar causal associations were obtained from weighted median analysis and MR-Egger analysis with lower precision. No notable heterogeneities and horizontal pleiotropies were observed (p > 0.05).

Conclusions/Interpretation

Our findings first provide direct evidence that genetic predisposition of anti-cytomegalovirus IgG levels increases the risk of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and deep vein thrombosis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated portal vein thrombosis in a healthy, immunocompetent man

We present a previously healthy man in his 30s who presented with typical viral prodrome symptoms and worsening abdominal pain. He was found to have portal vein thrombosis, with extensive hypercoagulability workup performed. It was determined that the aetiology of thrombus was secondary to acute cytomegalovirus infection. The patient was started on anticoagulation therapy, with later clot resolution demonstrated on abdominal Doppler ultrasound and abdominal CT scan. Given the atypical presentation of this common virus, we performed a literature review of cytomegalovirus-associated portal vein thrombosis in healthy individuals; we found that most patients present with non-specific symptoms of fever and abdominal pain in the setting of a viral prodrome. This case and literature review suggest physicians must consider cytomegalovirus-associated portal vein thrombosis as a potential diagnosis when patients present with abdominal pain and viral symptoms. The literature highlights the need for a consensus on anticoagulation and antiviral therapy.

Thrombosis associated with acute cytomegalovirus infection: a narrative review

Thrombosis associated with acute cytomegalovirus infection has been reported many times in the literature since the mid 1980s - mainly in case reports and in small case series, but also in four controlled studies. Still, many physicians are unaware of this association although acute cytomegalovirus infection diagnosis in a thrombosis patient may warrant antiviral therapy and may affect anticoagulation therapy duration. Accordingly, the clinical characteristics of patients with thrombosis and acute cytomegalovirus infection are reviewed, and the current knowledge concerning this unique association is presented herein. We believe it is time to add acute cytomegalovirus infection to the list of thrombosis triggers.

Thrombosis associated with acute cytomegalovirus infection: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Thrombosis associated with acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been reported in the medical literature almost 100 times thus far. Still, the clinical characteristics of patients with both conditions have never been systematically reviewed and described.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted for all (n=97) reports concerning thrombosis associated with acute CMV infection. The current knowledge concerning this unique association and previous clinical experience are presented here.

RESULTS

The incidence of thrombosis among acute CMV infection hospitalized patients was 6.4%, and the incidence of acute CMV infection among thrombosis hospitalized patients was 1.9-9.1%. Most (n=64; 65.9%) reported patients were immunocompetent. Mean age of reported patients was 39.7 ± 14.9 years. Female-male ratio was 1:1. DVT/PE, splanchnic vein thrombosis and splenic infarction were the most prevalent thromboses associated with acute CMV infection. While DVT/PE was more prevalent among immunocompromised patients, splanchnic vein thrombosis was more prevalent among immunocompetent patients. Inherited predispositions for thrombosis were significantly more prevalent among immunocompetent patients. Immunocompromised patients were treated with antiviral agents significantly more often. Duration of anticoagulation therapy varied significantly between reported patients. In-hospital mortality rates were 4.9-22.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe physicians should be alert for symptoms and signs of thrombosis in patients with acute CMV infection, and for symptoms and signs of acute CMV infection in patients with thrombosis.

Inherited and acquired predispositions for thrombosis in immunocompetent patients with cytomegalovirus-associated thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Thrombosis is a rare complication of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent patients. The clinical circumstances of this complication have never been studied, to the best of our knowledge.

AIM

We reviewed all reports on CMV-associated thrombosis in immunocompetent adults found in the literature, in search for thrombosis risk factors other than CMV.

METHODS

Our search yielded 32 case reports and case series on CMV-associated thrombosis in immunocompetent adults. Reports on immunocompromised patients, infants and elderly patients were excluded. All reports were reviewed for other, acquired as well as inherited, predispositions for thrombosis.

RESULTS

Reports on 39 immunocompetent adults were reviewed, mean age for which was 34.9+/-10.8years. Overall, 14 (35.9%) patients had one or more acquired predispositions for thrombosis; 16 (45.7%) of the 35 patients that were investigated for inherited thrombophilias had one or more inherited predispositions for thrombosis. Only 12 (34.3%) patients were found to have no acquired or inherited predispositions for thrombosis other than CMV. The most common (n=13; 33.3%) acquired predisposition for thrombosis was daily use of oral contraceptives. The most common (n=6; 17.1%) inherited predisposition for thrombosis was factor V Leiden mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

Most immunocompetent adults with CMV-associated thrombosis have other acquired or inherited predispositions for thrombosis. Hence, addressing these predispositions in patients with CMV-associated thrombosis may be of great clinical importance.