Abstract
Objectives
To further assess the relationship between elevated levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 antigen in blood, as indicative of viral load, during treatment-free follow-up and CMV diseases in patients with autoimmune diseases and to identify any risk factors associated with elevated viral loads.
Methods
This was a retrospective review of the electronic medical charts of 148 patients with autoimmune diseases who tested positive for CMV pp65 antigen in the blood.
Results
A total of 106 patients were analyzed. During follow-up, elevated viral loads were detected in 35 patients who were not on antiviral therapy, of whom five developed CMV diseases. Elevated viral load was significantly associated with CMV diseases [5/35 vs. 0/71 (no elevated viral load); P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymphopenia [lymphocyte numbers <700/mm3, odds ratio (OR) 34.44, 95 % confidence interval (CI), 7.82–151.66; P < 0.001], systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (OR 6.71, 95 % CI, 1.23–36.49; P = 0.028), and polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) (OR 10.62, 95 % CI 1.41–79.77; P = 0.022) were significantly associated with elevated viral load.
Conclusions
Elevated viral load was significantly associated with CMV diseases. Patients with SLE or PM/DM and lymphopenia would therefore benefit from a detailed viral load follow-up and careful physical examination.
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This study was supported by internal funding of Kyoto University Hospital.
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Fujimoto, D., Matsushima, A., Nagao, M. et al. Risk factors associated with elevated blood cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen levels in patients with autoimmune diseases. Mod Rheumatol 23, 345–350 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-012-0651-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10165-012-0651-8