Association between cytomegalovirus infection and dyslipidemia in US: an NHANES analysis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is widely prevalent worldwide, which may have relationship with dyslipidemia. The aim of this study is to explore the association between CMV infection and dyslipidemia.

The total observed population of this study included 14,163 participants aged 6-49 years from 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and four lipid parameters (triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)) were analyzed by performing multiple logistic regression and subgroup analysis.

The median values of triglycerides, LDL-C and total cholesterol levels in the CMV positive group were higher than those in CMV negative group while a lower median value of HDL-C existed in positive group. After controlling for potential confounders (sex, age, race, country of birth, education, poverty-to-income ratio(PIR)), a close association between CMV infection and low HDL-C was observed, which persisted in the men aged 30-49 and women aged 12-19, 30-49.

CMV infection is related to dyslipidemia, and this association is more significant in the serum HDL-C. Further cohort studies and experimental evidences can be conducted to test this association and then guide clinical practice.