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05:53

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

Active cytomegalovirus infection in patients with septic shock

Lutz von Müller1, Anke Klemm, Manfred Weiss

  • 1University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can develop in patients with septic shock, prolonging intensive care. This CMV reactivation often resolves without antiviral treatment but is linked to increased illness.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Virology

Background:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an emerging pathogen in patients experiencing septic shock.
  • Understanding CMV's role in septic shock is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and impact of active Cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent patients with septic shock.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 25 CMV-seropositive septic shock patients with ICU stays >=7 days.
  • Monitoring included quantitative pp65-antigenemia assay, shell vial culture, and virus isolation.
  • Assessed outcomes such as duration of intensive care and mechanical ventilation.

Main Results:

  • Active CMV infection developed in 32% of patients within 2 weeks, characterized by low-level pp65-antigenemia.
  • CMV infection resolved spontaneously within a median of 26 days without antiviral therapy.
  • Patients with active CMV infection experienced significantly prolonged intensive care and mechanical ventilation durations.
  • CMV reactivation was significantly associated with concomitant herpes simplex virus reactivation (p=0.004).

Conclusions:

  • Active Cytomegalovirus infection is a significant complication in septic shock patients, prolonging critical care.
  • The spontaneous resolution of CMV infection suggests potential for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Further interventional studies are warranted to explore treatment options for CMV in septic shock.

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