Cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

RESULTS An elevated CRP level (.0.5 mg/dl) was a significant CAD determinant even after adjustment for traditional CAD risk factors (odds ratio [OR] 5 2.4; p 5 0.02). Moreover, CMV seropositivity was significantly associated with increased CRP levels (p 5 0.04 after adjustment for CAD risk factors), suggesting that CMV could evoke a subclinical inflammatory response. However, considerable host variation existed in this response to CMV. When adjusted for CAD risk factors, the OR for CAD were 1.3 in the subgroup with CMV seropositivity alone (p 5 0.7), 2.3 in the subgroup with elevated CRP levels alone (p 5 0.2), and 4.3 in the subgroup with combined CMV seropositivity and elevated CRP levels (p 5 0.01).