Cytomegalovirus reactivation among immunocompetent patients hospitalized in medical intensive care: Associated factors and consequences.

Recent studies have demonstrated the association between the reactivation of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and an increase of morbi-mortality in immunocompetent patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). To determine the associated factors and consequences of CMV reactivation among Moroccan patients hospitalized in a medical ICU, a prospective and monocentric study was carried out on 72 immunocompetent CMV-seropositive patients admitted to the medical ICU. The monitoring of CMV by PCR in plasma was carried out at admission and then weekly. The CMV reactivation occurred in 25 (34.7%) patients. The age of the patients (32.0 vs 50.0, p=0.001), median duration of hospitalization before ICU admission (1 vs 4, p=0.007), lower lymphocyte count (1250 vs 940, p=0.012), increased urea (4.8 vs 13.1, p=0.001) levels, and use of oxygen therapy (15 vs 16, p=0.009) were observed more significantly in patients with CMV reactivation upon admission. In terms of consequence, the patients with CMV reactivation had a significantly longer length of stay (6 vs 16, p<0.001). In these patients, a last CMV viral load≥3 Log (10) IU/ml is associated with increased risks of mortality. These results demonstrate the association of CMV reactivation with increased morbidity in immunocompetent patients hospitalized in a medical ICU.