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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

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

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

Published on: July 6, 2013

CMV in critically ill patients: pathogen or bystander?

Ajit P Limaye¹, Michael Boeckh

¹Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington and Program in Infectious Diseases, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. limaye@uw.edu

Reviews in Medical Virology

|October 9, 2010

Summary

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in critically ill adults, often due to reactivation. Antiviral therapy for CMV may improve outcomes in these patients.

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Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Critical Care Medicine
Virology

Background:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is frequently observed in critically ill, non-immunocompromised adults across diverse clinical settings.
Evidence suggests CMV reactivation, rather than primary infection, is the predominant mechanism, particularly in seropositive individuals.
While CMV reactivation is linked to adverse outcomes like prolonged ventilation and increased mortality, specific risk factors beyond seropositivity remain undefined.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the current understanding of CMV infection in critically ill patients.
To explore potential mechanisms linking CMV reactivation to adverse clinical outcomes.
To establish the rationale for a randomized controlled trial investigating CMV prevention in this population.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of existing literature on CMV infection in critically ill adults.
Analysis of reported associations between CMV reactivation and clinical outcomes.
Evaluation of potential pathogenetic mechanisms of CMV in critical illness.

Main Results:

CMV infection is prevalent in critically ill patients, with reactivation being the likely cause.
CMV reactivation correlates with negative outcomes, including longer hospital stays and higher mortality.
Limited data exist on specific risk factors and direct clinical impact within intensive care units.

Conclusions:

CMV reactivation poses a significant threat to critically ill patients, contributing to adverse outcomes.
Further observational studies are unlikely to yield substantial new insights.
A randomized controlled trial of CMV prevention is warranted to explore its potential therapeutic benefits.