Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been associated with increased mortality, specifically cardiovascular disease (CVD), in high-income countries (HICs). There is a paucity of data in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where HCMV seropositivity is higher. Serum samples from 2,174 Ugandan individuals were investigated for HCMV antibodies and data linked to demographic information, co-infections and a variety of CVD measurements. HCMV seropositivity was 83% by one year of age, increasing to 95% by five years. Female sex, HIV positivity and active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) were associated with an increase in HCMV IgG levels in adjusted analyses. There was no evidence of any associations with risk factors for CVD after adjusting for age and sex. HCMV infection is ubiquitous in this rural Ugandan cohort from a young age. The association between TB disease and high HCMV IgG levels merits further research. Known CVD risk factors do not appear to be associated with higher HCMV antibody levels in this Ugandan cohort.
Highlights
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), known as human herpesvirus-5 (HHV-5), is a member of the β-herpes virus family which is widely distributed in human populations
We investigate HCMV seroprevalence in a large cross-sectional rural Ugandan cohort (n = 2,174) and investigate associations with co-infections, clinical measurements and demographic information
Recent studies have suggested a link between HCMV seropositivity and excess overall mortality, from cardiovascular disease (CVD), within high-income countries (HICs) settings [12,13,14,15,34]
Summary
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV), known as human herpesvirus-5 (HHV-5), is a member of the β-herpes virus family which is widely distributed in human populations. It can be transmitted transplacentally to neonates or through breast milk of an infected and shedding mother, by intimate contact and by transplantation from (or sharing syringes with) an infected individual [1]. It has been shown that young children shed HCMV virus in saliva and urine at high levels which may add to transmission between infants and adult caregivers [2]. Congenital HCMV infection is the leading cause of permanent hearing and neurological impairment as well as vision loss in infants worldwide [3].
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