Prognostic Significance of Blood CMV DNA Load in Immunocompetent Patients with CMV Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia presents challenges, particularly in immunocompromised patients with severe complications and high mortality. This study investigated the factors influencing short- and long-term mortality in immunocompetent patients with CMV pneumonia. Method: The study included immunocompetent cases of CMV pneumonia with clinical, radiological, and laboratory results based on the CMV DNA PCR levels in samples taken from blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), or both. <bold>Results:</bold> The median age of the 61 cases included in the study was 66 (59-63), and 45 (73.8%) were male. The 30-day, in-hospital, and 1-year mortality rates of the cases were 13.1%, 27.9%, and 65.6%, respectively. There was no statistically significant impact of the BAL CMV DNA PCR level on short-term or long-term mortality. The findings of ROC analyses for predicting mortality based on blood CMV DNA copy levels are shown in Fig. 1a,1b and 1c. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA1502/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> In Cox regression analysis, CMV DNA PCR>5151 IU/mL [HR:6.31(1.49-26.66), p=0.012], and CMV DNA PCR>3870 IU/mL [HR:6.27(1.40-27.81), p=0.016] were evaluated as predictors of 30-day and in-hospital mortality, respectively. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> We conclude that there is a significant association between blood CMV DNA load and both short- and long-term mortality, with greater levels indicating an increased risk of death.