Immunological and Molecular Study of Human Cytomegalovirus contribution to Anemia in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Renal failure is a condition in which the kidneys fail to remove metabolic end-products from the blood and regulate fluid, electrolytes and pH balance of extracellular fluids. The aim of current study was to investigate the role of human cytomegalovirus in renal failure and its contribution to anemia among patients with renal failure. Methods: This study was carried out at AL-Sadder Medical City Hospital during the period from December 2018 to February 2019. The study involved a total of 50 patients (32 males and 18 females) with kidney disease with age range between (20-70) years and 20 healthy individuals considered as controls. The human cytomegalovirus antibody were detected by cassette (rapid test) and compared the results of cytomegalovirus diagnosis (by rapid test) with molecular technique (Real time-Polymerase chain reaction ) results. Erythropoietin hormone concentration was detected by ELISA technique. Results: Data obtained from rapid test showed that positive patients for human cytomegalovirus were 32(64%) for all cases, while patients negative for human cytomegalovirus were 18(36%) compared with those of controls. Real time-Polymerase chain reaction amplification for presence of human cytomegalovirus DNA in serum samples revealed that human cytomegalovirus genome was detected in 10(20%) of the 50 serum samples. Erythropoietin hormone showed lower concentration in patients than controls. Erythropoietin showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in all groups of patients compared to those of control group. Conclusion: Human cytomegalovirus seemed to have relationship with chronic and acute renal failure and can affect patient’s immune status. Also, the decrease of erythropoietin hormone is the mean cause of anemia in renal failure patients.