CMV infection among HIV/AIDS patients in Iraq

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CMV infection among HIV/AIDS patients in relation to disease progression, and to study the mortality during the period of the study. The study included 155 HIV/AIDS patients [148 HIV- infected and seven AIDS patients] and 122 apparently "healthy" controls. CMV [IgG and IgM] antibodies "were determined by ELISA. The patients were followed up for a period of nine months, and retested frequently for development of active CMV infection. The prevalence of CMV [IgG] antibodies in the HIV/AIDS patients was 100%. A significant higher prevalence of CMV [IgM] among AIDS patients [42.9%] than among HIV infected patients [0.0%] and "healthy" controls [0.8%]. No deaths were reported among asymptomatic HIV infected patients while the mortality among AIDS patients was [42.9%]. Only one patient [7.7%] out of 13 asymptomatic HIV infected developed active CMV infection 10 years later by testing for CMV [IgM] in 1991 and 2001. Demonstration of active CMV is of prognostic value in detection of development of AIDS and survival of patients