Cytomegalovirus Infection Is Associated With Increased Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Open Forum Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 23;8(11):ofab539. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofab539. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) increases tuberculosis (TB) risk, but its relationship with latent TB infection (LTBI) is unknown. Using US nationally representative data, we report that CMV was independently associated with LTBI (odds ratio, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.19-7.28; P=.02). CMV and LTBI were associated with higher C-reactive protein, suggesting chronic inflammation.

Keywords: cytomegalovirus; immune dysregulation; inflammation; latent tuberculosis infection.