Vascular thrombosis and acute cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent patients: report of 2 cases and literature review

Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Jun 1;36(11):E134-9. doi: 10.1086/374664. Epub 2003 May 19.

Abstract

Acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompetent patients is common worldwide, with seroprevalence rates of 40%-100%, depending on the country, socioeconomic conditions, and the patient's age. Infection is most often asymptomatic, but acute cytomegalovirus infection is occasionally revealed by prolonged fever, cervical lymphadenitis, and arthralgia, and it is more rarely revealed by pneumonia, myocarditis, pericarditis, colitis, and hemolytic anemia. Here, we report 2 cases of acute CMV infection in nonimmunocompromised adults that were complicated by venous thrombosis with pulmonary embolism. We also review previously reported cases of vascular thrombosis and discuss the propensity of CMV to induce vascular damage with associated thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Colitis / etiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus*
  • Female
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology
  • Venous Thrombosis / virology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ganciclovir