Abdominal aortic aneurysm and cytomegalovirus infection

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is regarded traditionally as a consequence of atherosclerosis. Several microorganisms have been suggested as possible contributing factors for the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The relevance of CMV in the processes underlying the development, expansion, and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether CMV infection is related to abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. One hundred nineteen patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and 36 matched controls without abdominal aortic aneurysm were investigated prospectively by CMV serology. Patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm have similar levels of IgG antibodies against CMV as patients with nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, small abdominal aortic aneurysm, and controls without abdominal aortic aneurysm. In conclusion, this study fails to demonstrate a connection between CMV infection and abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.