Heart rate variability in humans infected with the cytomegalovirus (VIR1P.1145)

Abstract

Abstract Humans infected with the cytomegalovirus (CMV+) have been shown to have a higher risk of cardio-vascular-disease (CVD) and mortality. Previous research supports a neuroimmunomodulatory reflex via vagally mediated t-cells in the splenic nerve end. Vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) is a independent predictor of CVD mortality and associated with inflammatory processes. Existing studies investigated the association of CMV infection and HRV only in small samples of CMV infected infants or CMV-infected fetuses. The aim of the present study was to explore potential differences on vmHRV in individuals infected with CMV compared to their non-infected counterparts. 24-hour recordings of HRV were obtained by ECG holter monitoring and the high-frequency (HF) power was derived as index of vagal activity. CMV activity was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on plasma from fasted blood samples. Data from a total of 485 participants (10% females; mean age 46±10 years,) was available for analysis. Participants diagnosed as CMV+ (37%, n = 181) showed significantly (t(1.98) = 0.024, p = .024) lower vmHRV (HF 236±16.5 ms2) compared to individuals without CMV (CMV-, n = 304, HF 284±15.9 ms2).