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. 2021 Mar 12;18(1):12.
doi: 10.1186/s12979-021-00218-z.

Does reactivation of cytomegalovirus contribute to severe COVID-19 disease?

Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér  1
Affiliations

Does reactivation of cytomegalovirus contribute to severe COVID-19 disease?

Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér. Immun Ageing. .

Abstract

The majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic or have mild to moderate symptoms. However, for unknown reasons, about 15 % have severe pneumonia requiring hospital care and oxygen support, and about 5 % develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multiorgan failure that result in a high mortality rate. The risk of severe COVID-19 is highest among those who are over 70 years of age. Why severe COVID-19 develops in some people but not others is not understood. Could some cases involve reactivation of latent cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

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