title: Cytomegalovirus seropositivity is associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with chronic kidney disease have an increased cardiovascular risk that is not fully explained by traditional risk factors but appears to be related to increased arterial stiffness. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with increased cardiovascular risk although the mechanisms for this are unknown. We examined whether CMV seropositivity was associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 215 non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease, CMV seropositivity was determined using an anti-CMV IgG ELISA. Pulse wave velocity was measured and aortic distensibility assessed in the ascending, proximal descending and distal descending thoracic aorta. Patients seropositive for CMV had a higher pulse wave velocity and lower aortic distensibility at all 3 levels. These differences (except for ascending aortic distensibility) persisted in a subcohort matched for age, gender and renal function, and when the whole cohort was divided into quartiles of age. In multivariable analyses, CMV seropositivity was an independent determinant of pulse wave velocity and proximal and distal descending aortic distensibility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with chronic kidney disease, CMV seropositivity is associated with increased arterial stiffness and decreased distensibility of the proximal descending and distal aorta. These findings suggest that further research is required to examine CMV as a possible cause of arterial disease and increased cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD and may be relevant more widely for CMV seropositive patients with normal renal function.
authors: School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors: Nadezhda A
authors: NA
authors: Wall
authors: Colin D
authors: CD
authors: Chue
authors: Nicola C
authors: NC
authors: Edwards
authors: Tanya
authors: T
authors: Pankhurst
authors: Lorraine
authors: L
authors: Harper
authors: Richard P
authors: RP
authors: Steeds
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Lauder
authors: Jonathan N
authors: JN
authors: Townend
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Moss
authors: Charles J
authors: CJ
authors: Ferro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G