Reactivation of cytomegalovirus infection in sepsis and severe bacterial comorbidity

Cytomegalovirus is a frequent contributor to the infectious process in critically ill patients and may contribute to the clinical outcome of the disease. This study aimed to determine the presence and frequency of HCMV reactivation and contributing factors in critically ill patients with severe bacterial comorbidity. Plasma and sputum samples were collected from 82 patients to determine the frequency of reactivation. HCMV reactivation was determined by the detection of HCMV DNA along with the presence of IgG to HCMV. HCMV reactivation was detected in 36.6% of cases. The presence of sepsis was associated with a higher probability of HCMV reactivation (p<0.01), as well as higher HCMV viral loads both in the blood and sputum of patients in these groups. An association between the presence of HCMV in biological fluids and subsequent development of sepsis in patients with severe bacterial pathology (OR=1.5) was detected.