Cytomegalovirus Infection in Burn Patients

Abstract

We studied the seroepidemiology of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 59 patients with thermal injuries. Among the 31 patients who were initially CMV seronegative, seven (22.5%) seroconverted. Patients who seroconverted had longer hospital stays (mean, 27 ± 23.9 days v 14.9 ± 8.8 days in seronegative patients [P = 0.03]) and they received more blood products (mean, 10.7 ± 17.9 units v 1.8 ± 2.8 units [P = 0.02]) than patients who remained seronegative. Among 18 patients who were initially seropositive for CMV, 10 (56%) had a fourfold or greater rise in CMV antibodies, evidence of CMV reactivation. Patients who had reactivated CMV infection tended to be younger, to have a larger burn area, and to have a longer hospital stay. No patient who experienced CMV infection, whether primary or reactivated, had serious complications attributable to CMV.