Correlation between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 and Cytomegalovirus

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), which causes the novel betacoronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19), has become the first global pandemic in 100 years. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a prevalent herpesvirus that affects 40%–70% of the general population. This study aimed to see how CMV affected the presentation of COVID-19 infections as a prospective risk factor. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Babylon, Iraq, from January to March, 2022. A total of 120 people were engaged in this study divided into four groups: mild, moderate, severe, and control group, 30 individuals in each group. Ninety patients identified with SARS-CoV-2 by PCR testing and 30 people serving as a control group. IgG antibody titer in blood samples were detected by mini vidas biomerieux. The samples were processed with the complete blood count (CBC) and ABO blood group. Independent T and Chi-square tests were used to examine the data using SPSS 21 software. Results: COVID-19 infection was more frequent in females than males. The COVID-19 patients were detected to have increased white blood cell count (p < 0.0001) and decreased lymphocytes compared to the healthy persons (p < 0.0001). No significant correlation between CMV and COVID-19 was discovered. CMV titer was not associated with disease severity. Blood group A is the most predominant type in patients compared to healthy persons. Conclusion: This study revealed no significant correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and CMV in spite of slightly increased in severe patients at mean 66.53 compared to the control group 58.80 (p = 0.26). Reactivation of CMV in COVID-19 patients may be associated with complications, so more attention should be taken into consideration regarding this virus, especially in severe patients.