Cytomegalovirus Reactivation in ICU Patients Requiring Prolong Mechanical Ventilation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a latent infection virus that is widespread in the population. CMV may reactivate under certain circumstances, and its hazardous nature has been proven, especially in immunosuppressed patients. However, several studies have found that CMV reactivation also exists in immunocompetent patients with a critical illness. Among those patients, the incidence of CMV reactivation, which is more than 30%, is associated with increased duration of hospital stay, and higher mortality.

Traditionally, critically ill patients have been considered immunocompetent but the presence of sepsis and its immunomodulatory effects may lead to reactivation of dormant viral infections. Sepsis due to its immunomodulatory effects may lead to reactivation of CMV due to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta which has the ability to activate several transcription factors contributing in the CMV reactivation. Clari et al showed that CMV infection in critically ill patients was consistently associated with undetectable IFN-γ T cell responses within the first 2 days of admission to the ICU, and that viral load was inversely related to IFN-γ T cell responses. Similar results were also found by Venet et al that septic patients display immune system paralysis, reduced Th1 cell function, increased IL-10 production (anti-inflammatory), global lymphopenia affecting natural killer cells (NK) quantitatively and qualitatively related to their interferon production.

Studies have documented significantly higher organ failure rates and mortality in critically ill patients with CMV reactivation. Phillips Lachance et al performed a systematic review to investigate the association between CMV reactivation and clinical outcomes in immunocompetent critically ill patients. In this review, twenty-two studies were included. CMV reactivation was associated with increased ICU mortality, overall mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, nosocomial infections, ICU length of stay. CMV reactivation has also been studied in specific critically ill cohorts, exhibiting there impact on mortality. David S Y Yong et al studied the effect of CMV reactivation on mortality in immunocompetent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Of 399 ARDS patients, 68 % were CMV seropositive and reactivation occurred in 27 % of them which was associated with overall increased ICU mortality. In another study among septic shock cohort (329 patients), herpesvirus reactivations were documented in 68% patients without prior immunodeficiency and concluded that reactivations could be independently associated with mortality.

However, currently no study is currently available investigating the CMV reactivation and it's kinetics during critical illness in non-immunosuppressed patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. In this planned observational study, the investigators aimed to find out the prevalence of CMV reactivation, viral load and it's association with the severity of illness in non-immunosuppressed ICU patients requiring prolong mechanical ventilation.

All adult ICU patients requiring prolong mechanical ventilation will be considered for inclusion and will be screened for the presence of Anti CMV IgG antibodies in blood. If patient is IgG seropositive and meets inclusion/ exclusion criteria, then they will be included in study and will be followed up for CMV reactivation during their ICU stay (on weekly basis till maximum 28-days after the initiation of mechanical ventilation). In patients who had CMV reactivation, viral load kinetics will be further followed up on weekly basis for the next 3 weeks or ICU discharged (whichever comes first). Blood samples will be collected in all; while tracheal aspirate sample will be collected in whom who had an artificial airway.