Cytomegalovirus infection and coronary heart disease: Results of a German case-control study

This case-control study investigated whether previous infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) was associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). In total, 312 patients of German nationality aged 40-68 year; who had a coronary stenosis of >50% of the luminal diameter were recruited for study. Controls (n = 479) were voluntary blood donors. CMV serology was performed to determine presence of specific CMV antibodies (IgG, TgM, IgA ELA test; Medac, Hamburg, Germany). Rheologic and inflammatory markers were determined. The prevalence of specific IgG antibodies against CMV was 54.5% in cases and 49.9% in controls (P = .116), The odds ratio for CHD was 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.75) given a positive serostatus of specific IgG antibodies after adjustment for covariates. With the exception of C-reactive protein in controls, none of the theologic or inflammatory marker; was associated with CMV sero-status, Thus, serologic evidence of previous infection with CMV was not a major risk factor for CHD in this population.