CMV Can Indicate AIDS Progression

Persistent infection with cytomegalovirus can lead to rapid HIV disease progression and an AIDS diagnosis, researchers report in the June 26 issue of The Lancet. HIVers with persistent CMV were shown to be much more likely to develop AIDS and die than those with intermittent infection or those who clear the virus. Antiretroviral therapy did not diminish the link between CMV and HIV progression, the researchers say. A study of 374 HIV-positive adults showed that persistent CMV infection doubled the risk of developing AIDS and quadrupled the risk of death. About 4% of the subjects had persistent infection. The researchers are unsure whether CMV is a predictor of rapid HIV disease progression or if it causes the onset of AIDS. They called for additional research into whether anti-CMV treatments can help slow the rate of HIV disease progression.