Human cytomegalovirus infection among treatment-naive HIV-1 infected patients in Ethiopia.

Mulugeta Kiros,Andargachew Mulu,Abebech Tesfaye,Alene Geteneh,Dessalegne Abeje Tefera,Derbie Alemu,Dawit Hailu Alemayehu,Henok Andualem,Adane Mihret,Christine M O’Connor

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0247264

Mulugeta Kiros, Andargachew Mulu + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247264

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Abstract

Subclinical human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication is associated with immune dysfunction in immuno-suppressed antiretroviral therapy (ART) naive HIV infected individuals. No data is documented in Ethiopia so far concerning HCMV co-infection among HIV infected individuals. Hence, this study was aimed at generating data regarding the prevalence of active HCMV infection among treatment-naive HIV-infected individuals from Ethiopia. For this purpose, we enrolled 97 treatment-naive HIV infected study subjects in Addis Ababa from June to December 2018. ELISA and conventional PCR were performed consecutively to detect HCMV specific IgM antibody and HCMV DNA respectively. Of the 97 study subjects, 12 (12.4%) were positive for anti-CMV IgM antibodies but were not confirmed by PCR. With regard to the PCR positivity, 4/97 (4.1%) samples were positive for HCMV DNA. No statically significant associations were found between the dependent and independent variables. The presence of HCMV DNA in the current study highlights the need for a routine laboratory diagnosis for preventing HCMV disease among HIV-infected individuals early. Besides, the use of anti-CMV therapy for these CMV viremic individuals is also recommended as this can reduce the burden of CMV complications and consecutively prolonging the life of HIV infected individuals.

Highlights

Opportunistic infections (OIs) remain a major concern in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWH) [1]
The use of anti-CMV therapy for these CMV viremic individuals is recommended as this can reduce the burden of CMV complications and consecutively prolonging the life of Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) infected individuals
The prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection according to the PCR test was 4.1%

Summary

Introduction

Opportunistic infections (OIs) remain a major concern in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWH) [1]. OIs in these individuals can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa [2]. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of the highly prevalent human herpesviruses that cause OIs in PLWH. It has a global endemicity, it is more widespread in developing countries than in developed countries [2, 3].

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