Cytomegalovirus Seroprevalence Research Articles

COMPARISON SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII, RUBELLA, AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN MUŞ PROVINCE BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19

COMPARISON SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII, RUBELLA, AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN MUŞ PROVINCE BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-barr Virus and Herpes Simplex Viruses in Children Born HIV Positive at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon

Background: Cameroon is a country located in sub-Saharan Africa, which is an area endemic to herpesviridae family, there is very little data on the herpes virus infections epidemiology, especially associated with HIV infection. Aims: The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of four herpes viruses that are cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes Simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) in HIV-positive patients in Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: the study was prospective cross-sectional and took place at Yaounde University Teaching Hospital and Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, between November 2020 and April 2021. We included consecutively 74 on children living with HIV born HIV positive, on antiretroviral treatment (23 men, 51 women; age range 3-19 years), and whose medical file was complete and available within the ATC. IgG/IgM antibodies against HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, and IgM against EBV were qualitatively determined by Rapid Diagnostic Tests, for the detection of these pathogens. The statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22.0, the Fisher exact and the Khi-sqaure tests to compare qualitative variables between groups, while on the other hand, we used the Mann-Whitney test to compare quantitative variables. All P values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results: A total of 74 participants were enrolled in the study with a female predominance of 68.92% (n=51/74). The average age of our serie was 9.05±5.09 years, and a majority of participants was under 10 years old (56.76%, n=42/74). HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV and CMV Seroprevalences were 93.24%, 93.24%, 22.97% and 12.2% respectively. Other parameters such as sex, age, stage of disease, smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly associated with the seropositivity of these herpesviridae. Conclusion: Despite the absence for most of the clinical manifestations related to HSV-1 and HSV-2, it was strong to note a high circulation of those virus in HIV infected patients, mainly in bi and tri co-infections.

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) among pregnant women at a tertiary facility in southern Nigeria

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) also called human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) or human herpesvirus-5 (HHV-5) is an encapsulated double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus. It is an opportunistic virus which often remains latent and only become symptomatic in immune-suppressed individuals such as pregnant women, HIV/AIDS patients and other immune weakening disease conditions. It is also estimated to have an 86% global sero-prevalence among reproductive women. Objectives: To determine the sero-prevalence of CMV infection, investigate the relationship between risk factors and CMV infection and to determine the relationship between obstetric characteristics and CMV infections among pregnant women. Method: A cross-sectional study among a cross-section of pregnant women receiving ante-natal care in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from August 2022 to December 2022. A structured pro forma data sheet was used as interviewer-administered questionnaire by medical personnel to collect data from the study participants. 5ml of blood was collected from each participant and assessed for the presence of anti-CMV IgG using commercial Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics (mean, median, frequency percentage and standard deviation), Chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test were used appropriately. Results: Out of 101 respondents, only 24 (24%) were positive for CMV IgG, while 77 (76%) were negative. About 50% of the women were in their 3rd decade of life, while (3) were in the 4th decade of life. All the respondents were married and were Christians. Three quarters of the women [75(74.3%)] had tertiary education, 20 (19.8%) had secondary education, while 6 (5.9%) were Postgraduate students. Based on income, women with income < #50,000 (53.5%) were the most common. The relationship between demographic factors such as age, religion, income, educational level, employment status, marital status and CMV results were statistically insignificant. The relationship between obstetric characteristics and CMV results were not statistically significant, while risk factors for CMV and presence of CMV infection were not statistically significant as well. Conclusion: The 24% sero-prevalence for CMV at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital was quite low; however it can be reduced to the barest minimum, by encouraging intensive awareness campaigns about the virus and providing free serum testing to all categories of the population, since CMV affects all ages.

Human Cytomegalovirus Oncoprotection across Diverse Populations, Tumor Histologies, and Age Groups: The Relevance for Prospective Vaccinal Therapy.

The oncogenicity of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is currently being widely debated. Most recently, mounting clinical evidence suggests an anti-cancer effect via CMV-induced T cell-mediated tumor destruction. However, the data were mostly obtained from single-center studies and in vitro experiments. Broad geographic coverage is required to offer a global perspective. Our study examined the correlation between country-specific CMV seroprevalence (across 73 countries) and the age-standardized incidence rate (of 34 invasive tumors). The populations studied were stratified according to decadal age periods as the immunologic effects of CMV seropositivity may depend upon age at initial infection. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC WHO) database was used. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a worldwide inverse correlation between CMV seroprevalence and the incidences of 62.8% tumors. Notably, this inverse link persists for all cancers combined (Spearman's ρ = -0.732, p < 0.001; β = -0.482, p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.737). An antithetical and significant correlation was also observed in particular age groups for the vast majority of tumors. Our results corroborate the conclusions of previous studies and indicate that this oncopreventive phenomenon holds true on a global scale. It applies to a wide spectrum of cancer histologies, additionally supporting the idea of a common underlying mechanism-CMV-stimulated T cell tumor targeting. Although these results further advance the notion of CMV-based therapies, in-depth investigation of host-virus interactions is still warranted.

"Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Herpes Simplex Viruses in Children Born HIV Positive at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon After 12 Months of Follow-Up: A Cross Sectional Study"

"Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Herpes Simplex Viruses in Children Born HIV Positive at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon After 12 Months of Follow-Up: A Cross Sectional Study"

Seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus among Aborted Women in Aden, Yemen

Seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus among Aborted Women in Aden, Yemen

Evidence for effect modification by serum clusterin on dendritic cells in association with dementia

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD related dementias (ADRD) are complex heterogeneous diseases with multiple pathogenic mechanisms. Previous experimental studies showed that serum clusterin has a significant role in the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). Studies showed that myeloid DCs (mDCs) in blood were dysregulated in AD and higher levels of serum clusterin related to higher incidence of dementia. We evaluated the association of DCs in peripheral blood and serum clusterin and their interaction with AD/ADRD.MethodWe used data from 3072 participants in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) who participated in the 2016 Venous Blood Study (VBS), and had flow cytometry, clusterin and cognition assessed. We used generalized survey logit models to evaluate the association between the DCs, clusterin, and dementia after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, comorbidity, body mass index (BMI) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence. Utilizing the RNAseq data, we performed differential gene expression (DGE) analysis on DCs, clusterin and dementia to identify overlapping genes in the biological process.ResultWe found that after covariate adjustment, a higher percentage of dendritic cells was associated with lower odds of having dementia (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: [0.44, 0.86]; p = 0.005). We found that higher levels of serum clusterin was associated with higher odds of having dementia. This relationship was somewhat attenuated after covariate adjustment (OR = 1.07, 95% CI [0.99, 1.16], p = 0.09). We found a significant interaction between serum clusterin and DCs in the association with dementia (p = 0.02) with those having low DCs and high clusterin being at increased ADRD risk (OR = 1.25) and those with high DCs and low clusterin being at lower ADRD risk (OR = 0.48) as compared to those who have both low DCs and low clusterin. We identified three genes (TUBB4A, WASHC5 and GSTA4) that were dysregulated in the pathways of DCs and clusterin in association with dementia.ConclusionThis study has shown, for the first time, an interaction between serum clusterin and DCs in peripheral blood that is associated with increased risk of dementia in a large sample of older adults that needs to be validated in future studies.

Is human cytomegalovirus a potential risk factor for mood disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mood disorders are among the common mental disorders worldwide. Because of the persistence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the body and nervous system, this virus can be activated when the immune system is weakened and continues to exert its destructive effects throughout life. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence and association of human cytomegalovirus with mood disorders. Eligible articles were extracted using online international databases Science Direct, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar between 2000 and 2023. After quality assessment and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of eight eligible articles were included in the meta-analysis. Our finding showed that the seropositivity of CMV in mood disorders was 51.6% (95% CI; 42.8-60.4). There were statistical differences between mood disorders and control groups regarding the seropositivity of CMV 1.327% (95% CI; 13.27-10.45). The results of the publication bias using the Egger test confirmed no publication bias in each sub-group. The results of this meta-analysis study demonstrated that CMV infection might have associations with the incidence of mood disorders. Furthermore, we found that there were statistical differences between mood disorders and control groups regarding the seropositivity of CMV.

Vaccine value profile for cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common infectious cause of congenital malformation and a leading cause of developmental disabilities such as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), motor and cognitive deficits. The significant disease burden from congenital CMV infection (cCMV) led the US National Institute of Medicine to rank CMV vaccine development as the highest priority. An average of 6.7/1000 live births are affected by cCMV, but the prevalence varies across and within countries. In contrast to other congenital infections such as rubella and toxoplasmosis, the prevalence of cCMV increases with CMV seroprevalence rates in the population. The true global burden of cCMV disease is likely underestimated because most infected infants (85–90 %) have asymptomatic infection and are not identified. However, about 7–11 % of those with asymptomatic infection will develop SNHL throughout early childhood.Although no licensed CMV vaccine exists, several candidate vaccines are in development, including one currently in phase 3 trials. Licensure of one or more vaccine candidates is feasible within the next five years. Various models of CMV vaccine strategies employing different target populations have shown to provide substantial benefit in reducing cCMV. Although CMV can cause end-organ disease with significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, the focus of this vaccine value profile (VVP) is on preventing or reducing the cCMV disease burden.This CMV VVP provides a high-level, comprehensive assessment of the currently available data to inform the potential public health, economic, and societal value of CMV vaccines. The CMV VVP was developed by a working group of subject matter experts from academia, public health groups, policy organizations, and non-profit organizations. All contributors have extensive expertise on various elements of the CMV VVP and have described the state of knowledge and identified the current gaps. The VVP was developed using only existing and publicly available information.

Cytomegalovirus Active Infection in Critically Ill Children.

To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) active infection in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to investigate risk factors for mortality. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had CMV DNA detected in blood samples and/or tracheal aspirates by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) during stay at 2 PICUs of a university hospital. Suspected cases without etiological confirmation and patients with laboratory-confirmed CMV infection before PICU admission were excluded. Demographic, clinical and outcome data were collected from medical records. From January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019, 4748 children were admitted to the PICUs. Thirty-five (0.74%; 95% CI 0.51%-1.02%) had laboratory-confirmed CMV active infection; 71.4% were immunocompromised and 11 (31.4%) died. Patients who died were older than those who survived (median age 65 vs. 5.5 months, respectively; P = 0.048), and they received antiviral therapy for a shorter time (median 12 vs. 23 days, respectively; P = 0.001). The main causa mortis was septic shock (82%) and in most deceased patients (73%) the last CMV PCR before death was positive. PELOD score >6 was a risk factor for death (RR 2.96; 95% CI 1.07-8.21). Viral load in blood had a poor ability for the prediction of death (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.62; 95% CI 0.37-0.84). The incidence of CMV active infection during PICU stay was 0.74% in an upper-middle income country with a high CMV seroprevalence. PELOD score higher than 6 was a risk factor for death. No association was observed between CMV viral load and mortality.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence among women at childbearing age, maternal and congenital CMV infection: policy implications of a descriptive, retrospective, community-based study

BackgroundMaternal CMV infection during pregnancy, either primary or non-primary, may be associated with fetal infection and long-term sequelae. While guidelines recommend against it, screening for CMV in pregnant women is a prevalent clinical practice in Israel. Our aim is to provide updated, local, clinically relevant, epidemiological information about CMV seroprevalence among women at childbearing age, the incidence of maternal CMV infection during pregnancy and the prevalence of congenital CMV (cCMV), as well as to provide information about the yield of CMV serology testing.MethodsWe performed a descriptive, retrospective study of women at childbearing age who were members of Clalit Health Services in the district of Jerusalem and had at least one gestation during the study period (2013–2019). We utilized serial serology tests to determine CMV serostatus at baseline and at pre/periconception and identified temporal changes in CMV serostatus. We then conducted a sub-sample analysis integrating inpatient data on newborns of women who gave birth in a single large medical center. cCMV was defined as either positive urine CMV-PCR test in a sample collected during the first 3 weeks of life, neonatal diagnosis of cCMV in the medical records, or prescription of valganciclovir during the neonatal period.ResultsThe study population Included 45,634 women with 84,110 associated gestational events. Initial CMV serostatus was positive in 89% women, with variation across different ethno-socioeconomic subgroups. Based on consecutive serology tests, the detected incidence rate of CMV infection was 2/1000 women follow-up years, among initially seropositive women, and 80/1000 women follow-up years, among initially seronegative women. CMV infection in pregnancy was identified among 0.2% of women who were seropositive at pre/periconception and among 10% of women who were seronegative. In a subsample, which included 31,191 associated gestational events, we identified 54 newborns with cCMV (1.9/1000 live births). The prevalence of cCMV among newborns of women who were seropositive at pre/periconception was lower than among newborns of women who were seronegative (2.1 vs. 7.1/1000). Frequent serology tests among women who were seronegative at pre/periconception detected most primary CMV infections in pregnancy that resulted in cCMV (21/24). However, among women who were seropositive, serology tests prior to birth detected none of the non-primary infections that resulted in cCMV (0/30).ConclusionsIn this retrospective community-based study among women of childbearing age characterized by multiparity and high seroprevalence of CMV, we find that consecutive CMV serology testing enabled to detect most primary CMV infections in pregnancy that led to cCMV in newborns but failed to detect non-primary CMV infections in pregnancy. Conducting CMV serology tests among seropositive women, despite guidelines' recommendations, has no clinical value, while it is costly and introduces further uncertainties and distress. We thus recommend against routine CMV serology testing among women who were seropositive in a prior serology test. We recommend CMV serology testing prior to pregnancy only among women known to be seronegative or women whose serology status is unknown.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus Among Pregnant Women in Our Clinic

To determine the rate of seropositivity in toxoplasma, rubella and cytomegalovirus infections during pregnancy. 4488 pregnants who applied to outpatient polyclinics of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Training and Research Hospital for pregnancy examination in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy were included in the study. Results of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG, anti-Rubella IgM and IgG, anti-CMV IgM and IgG were evaluated. Seropositivity rates of anti-Toxoplasma, anti-Rubella, anti-CMV IgG and IgM were determined respectively 21.6%, 1.6%, 92.8%, 1%; 98.5%, 1.1% in the study group. Toxoplasma, Rubella and CMV seroprevalence should be evaluated during preconceptional or antenatal screening according to regional conditions.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus in Women of Fertility Age in Our Region

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), Rubella and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections can cause severe morbidity in the fetus when transmissed during pregnancy. In our study, it was aimed to examine the seropositivity rates for T. gondii, Rubella and CMV infections in women of childbearing age who applied to our hospital. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG, anti-Toxoplasma IgM, anti-Rubella IgG, anti-Rubella IgM, anti-CMV IgG and anti-CMV were studied in women of childbearing age (18-49 years old) who applied to our hospital's outpatient clinics between January 2018 and December 2020. The tests were performed in our microbiology laboratory using the ELISA method on Architect i2000 (Abbott, USA) and COBAS e601 (Roche, Germany) devices. As a result of the data obtained, the percentages of IgM and IgG positivity for anti-Toxoplasma were calculated as 1.4% and 30.9%, respectively. Anti-Rubella IgM positivity was 0.7%, anti-Rubella IgG positivity was 91%, anti-CMV IgG positivity was 98.8%, and anti-CMV IgM positivity was 2%. Having its own seroprevalence for each region has is important in terms of planning pregnancy screenings. The seropositivity rates in our region are in line with other studies in the country. Since CMV seropositivity is very high in the population and there is no effective treatment or vaccine, screening may not be not necessary. T. gondii and Rubella screenings can be recommended due to the lower immunity rates and the availability of vaccine and treatment options.

Cytomegalovirus serological screening at the first antenatal visit: A tertiary-centre audit of general practitioner practices and maternal seroprevalence.

Little is published on cytomegalovirus (CMV) serological screening at the first antenatal visit or the contemporary CMV seroprevalence rates among the Australian pregnant population. We performed a retrospective analysis of public hospital births in a major tertiary centre (n=840) over a twomonth period. We found that 13.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.4-16.1%) of women had been screened for CMV at their first antenatal visit with their general practitioner. Of these, 43.0% (95% CI 34.3-52.1%) were CMV seronegative and therefore susceptible to primary infection. Seronegative women were also more likely to have been born in an economically developed country, to live in a socio-economically advantaged postcode and to be nulliparous. The information from this study may help guide future studies of congenital CMV risk reduction strategies.

Seroprevalence of Human cytomegalovirus among adult Population in Taiz city, Yemen

    Human cytomegalovirus is a widespread herpesvirus that infects the vast majority of individuals. HCMV can establish long life latency. HCMV reactivations were reported in immunocompromised patients and pregnant females. HCMV causes congenital infections. In this study, almost 206 adults were underwent anti-HCMV IgG &amp; IgM antibodies tests in Taiz International laboratory in Taiz city, Yemen (from March 2019 to December 2020). A total of 206 adults underwent HCMV antibodies screening tests. Among them, 12 males and 194 females. All males were HCMV IgG seropositive, while 97.9% of females were HCMV IgG seropositive. Among all patients, only four were HCMV IgM seropositive. All four HCMV IgM seropositive patients were HCMV IgG seropositive. Low socioeconomic status and poor hygiene practices determine HCMV prevalence in developing countries. Minister of Public Health, Yemen have to approve HCMV serologic test as a routine screening test for pregnant females to prevent HCMV neurological disorders in fetus/newborn.

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus among Paediatric Patients with Seizures Attending Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus causes a congenital infection, which poses a great public Health challenge such as hearing loss, seizure and mental disorder among children.&#x0D; Methodology: Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to screen serum samples (90) collected from Patients presented with Seizure between the ages 0-13 years for Cytomegalovirus IgG specific antibodies.&#x0D; Results: The presence of CMV IgG specific antibody among Seizure patients obtained from this study recorded a prevalence of 68(75.5%). The age groups 9-13 years presented highest CMV (IgG) specific antibodies response 36(40.0%), followed by ages 5-8 years 22(24.4%) and least for ages 0-4 years 10 (11.1%), P&gt;0.005. The CMV (IgG) specific antibodies response with respect to gender presented male with highest prevalence 50 (55.5%) than their female 18 (20.0%) counterparts P&lt;0.005. &#x0D; Conclusion: Therefore CMV is highly prevalent within the study area and the need for necessary facilities to be available in screening pregnant women of the virus in order to prevent the spread vertically to their fetuses thereby increases the risk of Seizure.

Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence, infection, and disease in Chinese thoracic organ transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after transplantation. This study aimed to investigate CMV seroprevalence, infection, and disease in Chinese thoracic organ transplant recipients.MethodsThe clinical data of the patients who underwent lung and/or heart transplantation between January 2015 and October 2020 were retrospectively collected from four transplantation centers in China.ResultsA total of 308 patients were analyzed. The CMV serostatus was donor positive (D+) recipient negative (R−) in 19 (6.17%) patients, D+/R+ in 233 (75.65%), D−/R+ in 36 (11.69%), and D−/R− in 20 (6.50%). CMV DNAemia was detected in 52.3% of the patients and tissue-invasive CMV disease was diagnosed in 16.2% of the patients. Only 31.8% of the patients adhered to the postdischarge valganciclovir therapy. The D+/R− serostatus (odds ratio [OR]: 18.32; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.80-188.68), no valganciclovir prophylaxis (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.05–6.64), and higher doses of rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (> 2 mg/kg) (OR: 4.25; 95% CI: 1.92–9.42) were risk factors of CMV disease.ConclusionCMV seroprevalence was high in Chinese thoracic organ transplant donors and recipients. The low adherence rate to the postdischarge CMV prophylaxis therapy in Chinese patients is still an unresolved issue.

Absence of pathogenic viruses in COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

It is important to maintain the safety of blood products by avoiding the transfusion of units with known and novel viral pathogens. It is unknown whether COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) may contain pathogenic viruses (either newly acquired or reactivated) that are not routinely screened for by blood centers. The DNA virome was characterized in potential CCP donors (n=30) using viral genome specific PCR primers to identify DNA plasma virome members of the Herpesviridae [Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6A/B, human herpesvirus 7] and Anelloviridae [Torque teno viruses (TTV), Torque teno mini viruses (TTMV), and Torque teno midi viruses (TTMDV)] families. In addition, the RNA plasma virome was characterized using unbiased metagenomic sequencing. Sequencing was done on a HiSeq2500 using high output mode with a read length of 2X100 bp. The sequencing reads were taxonomically classified using Kraken2. CMV and EBV seroprevalence were evaluated using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. TTV and TTMDV were detected in 12 (40%) and 4 (13%) of the 30 study participants, respectively; TTMDV was always associated with infection with TTV. We did not observe TTMV DNAemia. Despite CMV and EBV seroprevalences of 33.3% and 93.3%, respectively, we did not detect Herpesviridae DNA among the study participants. Metagenomic sequencing did not reveal any human RNA viruses in CCP, including no evidence of circulating SARS-CoV-2. There was no evidence of pathogenic viruses, whether newly acquired or reactivated, in CCP despite the presence of non-pathogenic Anelloviridae. These results confirm the growing safety data supporting CCP.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus in the south Eastern Turkey and the current approach

Exposure to teratogens in the first weeks of embryo formation and infections that may affect the fetus; It is responsible for half of neonatal deaths [1]. The most common infectious agents that can affect the fetus during pregnancy are Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii), Rubella virus (RV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type I and II [2]. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the Zika virus infection and the agent "Zika Virus" from the arbovirus family [3]. Zika virus was first detected in French Polynesia in 2013 as a combination of pictures similar to Guillain-Barre Syndrome and microcephaly [4,5]. Later, if pregnant women were infected, some craniofacial anomalies, loss of brain tissue, corpus callosum agenesis, low pressure cerebrospinal fluid, and various neurological disorders were observed in later periods [3,4].After this date, a new definition as "TORZiCH" was made to the definition of "TORCH infection" [3].

CMV seroprevalence and coronary CMV-DNA detection in immunocompetent patients with heart diseases.

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. As cytomegalovirus (CMV) may contribute to cardio-vascular (CV) manifestations, we sought to provide a proof-of-concept for the involvement of coronary and/or systemic CMV-reactivation as a possible ACS trigger. We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients undergoing a coronary angiography for ACS (acute-cases, N.=136), or non-ACS reasons (chronic-cases, N.=57). Matched coronary and peripheral blood-samples were processed for quantification of CMV-DNAemia (RT-PCR), CMV-IgG/IgM, and CMV-IgG avidity (ELISA). Peripheral-blood samples from 17 healthy subjects were included as controls. Out of the 193 cases included, 18.1% were aged ≤55 years, 92.5% were Central-European, and 100% immunocompetent. CMV-IgG seroprevalence was 91.7% (95%CI: 87.8-95.6), significantly higher than in healthy-controls (52.9% [95%CI: 29.2-76.5]; P<0.001), yet consistent across age-groups (P=0.602), male/females (P=0.765), and acute/chronic-cases (P=0.157). Median (IQR) IgG titers were 110 (84-163) AU/mL, with 0.62 (0.52-0.72) avidity, supporting a long history of infection. No acute CMV infections were found. In 22.6% (n/N.=40/177) of the IgG-positive cases low-level coronary and/or systemic CMV-DNAemia (always <40 copies/mL) was detected. While no differences in peripheral CMV-DNAemia prevalence were observed nor among cases nor controls, coronary CMV-DNAemia was more frequent in acute-cases without modifiable CV risk-factors (n/N.=4/10; 40.0%), than in chronic-cases (n/N.=6/55, 10.9%; P=0.029), or acute-cases with risk-factors (n/N.=16/112, 14.3%; P=0.058). CMV-IgG seroprevalence was high in patients with heart diseases. CMV-DNAemia can be found, although uncommonly, in coronary circulation during an ACS, with increased prevalence in older subjects and in absence of CV risk-factors, identifying possible areas for novel interventions.