Detection of human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in coronary atherosclerotic tissue

Vitória Imbronito, AnaLinardi Marcelino, SilviaRosa Grande, SabrinaDaumas Nunes, FabioAlexandre Romito, Giuseppe

Previous studies indicated that patients with atherosclerosis are predominantly infected by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), but rarely infected by type 1 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-1). In this study, atheromas of 30 patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery with coronary endartherectomy were tested for the presence of these two viruses. HCMV occurred in 93.3% of the samples and EBV-1 was present in 50% of them. Concurrent presence of both pathogens was detected in 43.3% of the samples.

1. Epstein-Barr virus
2. atherosclerosis
3. cytomegalovirus