Detection of human cytomegalovirus in bronchoalveolar lavage of intensive care unit patients

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 51; no. 2; p. 1701332
• Main Authors: Vergara, Andrea, Cilloniz, Catia, Luque, Nestor, Garcia-Vidal, Carolina, Tejero, Javier, Perelló, Rafael, Lucena, Carmen María, Torres, Antoni, Marcos, María Angeles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England European Respiratory Society Journals Ltd 01.02.2018; European Respiratory Society (ERS)
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alveoli; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - virology; Bronchus; Citomegalovirus; Congenital infection; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus - genetics; Cytomegalovirus Infections - diagnosis; Cytomegaloviruses; Epidemiology; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Infections; Intensive care; Intensive Care Units - statistics & numerical data; Male; Mechanical ventilation; Microorganismes patògens; Middle Aged; Mononucleosis; Opportunist infection; Pathogenic microorganisms; Prospective Studies; Retinitis; Risk factors; Serology; Spain; Spain
• ISSN: 0903-1936; 1399-3003
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01332-2017

The seroprevalence of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is very high worldwide [1, 2] and the spectrum of disease caused by it ranges from an asymptomatic state to a mononucleosis-like syndrome to severe diseases such as pneumonia, retinitis or gastrointestinal infection. The most severe disease occurs in congenital infection and in immunosuppressed patients, in whom the virus acts as an opportunistic pathogen. However, the role of CMV in other populations is less clear and is controversial [3]. Some studies in critical patients describe a relationship between CMV and increased mortality rates, longer length of stay and prolonged need for mechanical ventilation [3–5]. The incidence of active CMV infection depends on the diagnostic method used. Several epidemiological studies and systematic reviews have assessed the incidence of CMV infection in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients, finding values ranging from 0–36% [5–7]. In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes for intensive care unit (ICU) patients with CMV detection by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).