CMV seropositivity does not increase the risk of death among elderly nursing home residents

Abstract

Abstract Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-CMV antibody titre, the presence of genetic material of the virus in the plasma of elderly residents of nursing homes and the impact of the CMV infection on the risk of death. Material and methods. The number of 202 residents of a nursing home in Warsaw, aged 65 and over, were observed for 1095 days (3 years) between 2015 and 2018. During this period 126 (62.4%) residents died. Plasma CMV DNA levels were assessed using real-time PCR. Anti-CMV antibody titre was measured with the use of commercially available ARCHITECT CMV test. Results. No genetic material of the CMV was found in the studied group of the residents. The mean IgG titre did not differ between those who survived and those who deceased (p=1). Pearson’s Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test did not reveal any differences in the rate of deaths among the groups of seronegative, seropositive < 250 IgG [Au/ml], and seropositive > 250 IgG [Au/ml] residents. Kaplan-Meyers survival curves confirmed these results. Conclusions. We did not demonstrate that CMV infection or the anti-CMV antibody titer have any effect on the risk of death in the study group.