Does reactivation of cytomegalovirus contribute to severe COVID-19 disease?

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Söderberg-Nauclér C

Immun Ageing 18 (1) 12 [2021-03-12; online 2021-03-12]

The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic or have mild to moderate symptoms. However, for unknown reasons, about 15 % have severe pneumonia requiring hospital care and oxygen support, and about 5 % develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multiorgan failure that result in a high mortality rate. The risk of severe COVID-19 is highest among those who are over 70 years of age. Why severe COVID-19 develops in some people but not others is not understood. Could some cases involve reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

Type: Other

PubMed 33712035

DOI 10.1186/s12979-021-00218-z

Crossref 10.1186/s12979-021-00218-z

pii: 10.1186/s12979-021-00218-z
pmc: PMC7952506