Human Cytomegalovirus Linked to Stroke in a Chinese Population

AIM: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is implicated in several cardiovascular disorders, including atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and cardiac transplant arteriopathy. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between HCMV and stroke. METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA were performed on plasma samples isolated from 200 patients diagnosed with stroke and 200 controls. All participants belonged to the Stroke Hypertension Investigation in Genetics (SHINING) study. RESULTS: HCMV seropositivity was higher in the stroke group than in controls (55.0% vs. 23.5%; P < 0.0001). The presence of HCMV DNA increased the risk of stroke (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.59 to 6.11; P < 0.0001). Risks were also increased for the subtypes ischemic stroke (unadjusted OR, 4.01; 95% CI, 2.57-6.24; P < 0.0001) and hemorrhagic stroke (unadjusted OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.64-8.78; P= 0.0018). Increased risk with HCMV remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, and smoking (ischemic stroke: adjusted OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.52-6.32; P < 0.0001; hemorrhagic stroke: adjusted OR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.61-9.36; P= 0.0026). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a novel link between HCMV infection and stroke. These findings may provide important insights into the pathogenesis of stroke.