Presence of cytomegalovirus DNA in leucocytes is associated with increased oxidative stress and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a biomarker of oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Latent CMV infection was diagnosed in healthy individuals with PCR-evidence of CMV DNA in peripheral leucocytes. Oxidative stress and atherosclerosis were measured by mitochondrial DNA oxidative damage index (mtDNA(ΔCT)) and intima media thickness (IMT).


RESULTS
The CMV DNA positive subjects had a higher mean mtDNA(ΔCT) and greater IMT than subjects in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of CMV DNA in leucocytes, as a marker of latent CMV infection, was associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy adults.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Changhua Christian Hospital , Changhua , Taiwan .
Yu-Lin
YL
Lee
Chun-Eng
CE
Liu
Wen-Long
WL
Cho
Chen-Ling
CL
Kuo
Wen-Ling
WL
Cheng
Ching-Shan
CS
Huang
Chin-San
CS
Liu
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017735:Virus Latency
D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral