Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genotype populations in immunocompetent individuals during primary HCMV infection

Abstract

Background: Immunocompetent individuals can harbor multiple human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) genotypes. However, little is known about the genotype populations acquired during primary HCMV infection.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the HCMV genotype populations present in the blood of non-immunocompromised patients experiencing primary HCMV infection.

Study design: HCMV glycoprotein B (gB), glycoprotein H (gH), and UL10 genotyping was performed on HCMV-positive serum samples of 36 immunocompetent patients during primary infection by sensitive gB- and gH-genotype-specific real-time-PCR assays and by UL10 sequencing.

Results: In all cases only one gB-gH-UL10 genotype was detected. In contrast, mixed-genotype infections were found in 4 of 14 immunocompetent patients experiencing HCMV reactivation/reinfection (P=0.004).

Conclusion: Thus, the data support the presumption that multiple HCMV genotypes in immunocompetent individuals are often a result of serial reinfection rather than primary coinfection with different strains.