Cytomegalovirus infection in intensive care unit patients with hematological malignancies: Characteristics and clinical outcomes.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with poor outcome in ICU patients. However, data on immunocompromised patients are scarce. This study aims to describe characteristics and outcomes of critically ill hematological patients and CMV infection. CMV disease characteristics and relationship between CMV viral load, CMV disease, coinfections by other pathogens and outcomes are described.

Methods: Retrospective single center study (Jan 2010-Dec 2017). Adult patients, admitted to the ICU, having underlying hematological malignancy and CMV infection were included. Results are reported as median (interquartile) or n (%). Factors associated with hospital mortality or CMV disease were analysed using logistic regression.

Results: 178 patients were included (median age 55y [42-64], 69.1% male). Hospital mortality was 53% (n = 95). Median viral load was 2.7 Log [2.3-3.5]. CMV disease occurred in 44 (24.7%) patients. Coinfections concerned 159 patients (89.3%). After adjustment for confounders, need for vasopressors (OR 2.53; 95%CI 1.11-5.97) and viral load (OR 1.88 per Log; 95%CI 1.29-2.85) were associated with hospital mortality. However, neither CMV disease nor treatment were associated with outcomes. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (OR 2.55; 95%CI 1.05-6.16), mechanical ventilation (OR 4.11; OR 1.77-10.54) and viral load (OR 1.77 per Log; 95%CI 1.23-2.61) were independently associated with CMV disease. Coinfections were not associated with CMV disease or hospital mortality.

Conclusion: In critically-ill hematological patients, CMV viral load is independently associated with hospital mortality. Conversely, neither CMV disease nor treatment was associated with outcome suggesting viral load to be a surrogate for immune status rather than a cause of poor outcome.