The Relationship between Cytomegalovirus Infection and Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients attending Sudan Heart Centre

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Infectious etiology is also suspected to be a significant risk factor in these cases. Once infected, the person carries the virus for life. 80% of adults show CMV-specific antibodies in their serum indicating the high prevalence of CMV infection. The Objective is to detect association between cytomegalovirus lnfection and cardiovascular diseases in patients attending sudan heart centre .This study was a case-control study conducted at sudan heart center, khartoum, 60 heart disease Patients as a case group and 30 healthy subjects as a control group with matched age and gender. ELISA was used to detect CMV IgG in the participant's sera. A total of 90 individuals were participated in this study and divided into two groups; 60 (66.7%) were cases group, and 30 (33.3%) were control group with matched age and gender, regarding CVD patients, 35(58.3%) were males, and 25 (41.7%) were females in the case group. According to age groups; the age group <40 years had 22 (36.7%) patients, the age group 40-55 years had 13 (21.7%) patients, age group >55 years had 25 (41.7%) cases. Most of the patients presented with CAD 15 (25%), AF 10 (16.7%), HF 9 (15%), increase in heart palpitations 8(13%), VHD 7(11.7%), IHD 6(10%), MVR 3(5%), DCM 2(3.3%). According to the duration of diseases < 2 years had 17(28.3%), 2-3 years had 17(28.3%), and>3 years had 26(43.3%). The ELISA results of CMV revealed that there were 14 (46.7%) controls were positive for IgG, while 49 (81.7%) cases were positive for IgG from a total of 60 cases, and 30 control. There was a significant association between CMV infection and cardiovascular disease control with a P. value (0.001),Relative risk (5.091) . This study shows high seroprevalence of CMV in cardiovascular patients. There was a significant association between CMV and cardiovascular diseases, thus previous infection with CMV can be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.