title: Cytomegalovirus infection in burn patients.
abstract: We studied the seroepidemiology of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 59 patients with thermal injuries. Among the 31 patients who were initially CMV seronegative, seven (22.5%) seroconverted. Patients who seroconverted had longer hospital stays (mean, 27 +/- 23.9 days v 14.9 +/- 8.8 days in seronegative patients [P = 0.03]) and they received more blood products (mean, 10.7 +/- 17.9 units v 1.8 +/- 2.8 units [P = 0.02]) than patients who remained seronegative. Among 18 patients who were initially seropositive for CMV, 10 (56%) had a fourfold or greater rise in CMV antibodies, evidence of CMV reactivation. Patients who had reactivated CMV infection tended to be younger, to have a larger burn area, and to have a longer hospital stay. No patient who experienced CMV infection, whether primary or reactivated, had serious complications attributable to CMV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Kealey
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bale
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Strauss
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Massanari
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral