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Updated: Oct 1, 2025
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Published on: July 6, 2013
Case Report: Cytomegalovirus Disease Is an Under-Recognized Contributor to Morbidity and Mortality in Common Variable
Samantha Chan1,2,3,4, Jack Godsell3, Miles Horton1,2
1Immunology Division, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Background:
Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) is classified as a 'Predominantly Antibody Deficiency' (PAD), but there is emerging evidence of cellular immunodeficiency in a subset of patients. This evidence includes CVID patients diagnosed with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, a hallmark of 'combined immunodeficiency'. CMV infection also has the potential to drive immune dysregulation contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in CVID. We aim to determine the extent of cellular immune dysfunction in CVID patients, and whether this correlates with CMV infection status.
Methods:
We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of individuals with CVID at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and identified patients with and without CMV disease or viraemia. We then isolated T-cells from patient and healthy donor blood samples and examined T-cell proliferation and function.
Results:
Six patients (7.6%, 6/79) had either CMV disease (pneumonitis or gastrointestinal disease), or symptomatic CMV viraemia. A high mortality rate in the cohort of patients with CVID and CMV disease was observed, with 4 deaths in the period of analysis (66.6%, 4/6). Individuals with CMV infection showed reduced T-cell division in response to T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation when compared with CMV-negative patients.
Discussion:
This study demonstrates the morbidity and mortality associated with CMV in CVID, and highlights the need for focused interventions for patients with CVID at risk of CMV disease.
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