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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Lack of evidence for a reciprocal interaction between bacterial and cytomegalovirus infection in the allogeneic stem cell transplantation setting

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Summary Pathogenic interactions between bacteria and cytomegalovirus (CMV) may potentially occur early after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Allo-SCT). This possibility nevertheless has not been investigated in depth. This was a retrospective study that included 170 consecutive patients who underwent 173 Allo-SCTs. Both bacterial infection (most of which were bacteremic) and CMV DNAemia were detected in 78 Allo-SCTs (62.9%). In total, 51 and 32 episodes of bacterial infection preceded or occurred after CMV DNAemia detection, respectively. Both events were diagnosed concurrently in four Allo-SCTs. The cumulative incidence of bacterial infection (of any type) over the study period was comparable in patients with or without a preceding episode of CMV DNAemia (P=0.321). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis failed to identify CMV DNAemia as a significant risk factor for bacterial infection. Likewise, the cumulative incidence CMV DNAemia within the study period was not significantly different in patients with or without a preceding episode of bacterial infection (P=0.189). Furthermore, the occurrence of bacterial infection within episodes of active CMV infection had no apparent impact on the kinetics of CMV DNAemia. Our data, thus, do not support the existence of a bidirectional synergistic effect between bacterial infection and active CMV infection in the Allo-SCT setting. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.