Annals of Hematology

, Volume 91, Issue 4, pp 597–604 | Cite as

Cytomegalovirus infection is associated with venous thromboembolism of immunocompetent adults—a case–control study

  • Sven Schimanski
  • Birgit Linnemann
  • Beate Luxembourg
  • Erhard Seifried
  • Wolfgang Jilg
  • Edelgard Lindhoff-Last
  • Christian M. Schambeck
Original Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seems to contribute to the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in immunocompromised patients whereas literature data on the role in immunocompetent individuals are mainly limited to case reports. This study aimed to investigate if cytomegalovirus infection contributes to the development of VTE in immunocompetent individuals. CMV-IgG and CMV-IgM antibody titres, CMV-IgG avidity and CMV-DNA were identified in samples from 166 VTE patients and from 166 healthy blood donors matched for gender and age. CMV-IgG antibodies were found more frequently in VTE patients compared to controls [57.8% vs. 44.0%; adjusted OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.13–2.70); p = 0.016]. Accordingly, median CMV-IgG titres were significantly higher in the case group (89.4 vs. 1.8 AU/ml; p = 0.002). Although the overall rate was low, CMV-IgM antibodies were detected more often among cases than controls. The difference was significant in patients with an unprovoked VTE event [7.4% vs. 0.6%; adjusted OR 5.26 (95% CI 1.35–20.8); p = 0.017]. CMV-IgG antibodies of almost all VTE patients (98.9%) and controls (98.6%) were found to be of high avidity. The rate of positive CMV-DNA samples was low and not different between cases and controls. With the exception of age, no association was found between CMV seropositivity and established VTE risk factors within the VTE group. CMV infection seems to play a role in the development of VTE in immunocompetent patients. Recurrent infection might be more important than acute CMV infection.

Keywords

CMV Infection Venous thromboembolism IgG IgM Antibodies 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This investigation was supported by research funding by the Gesellschaft für Thrombose- und Hämostaseforschung (GTH) and performed by the GTH Thrombophilia Working Group.

Disclosures

There is no conflict of interest relevant to this manuscript for any of the authors.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Sven Schimanski
    • 1
  • Birgit Linnemann
    • 2
  • Beate Luxembourg
    • 2
  • Erhard Seifried
    • 3
  • Wolfgang Jilg
    • 1
  • Edelgard Lindhoff-Last
    • 2
  • Christian M. Schambeck
    • 4
  1. 1.Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Virology and Infectious ImmunologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
  2. 2.Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Vascular MedicineJ.W. Goethe University HospitalFrankfurt/MainGermany
  3. 3.Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, German Red CrossJ.W. Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
  4. 4.HämostasikumMunichGermany

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