Cytomegalovirus in Indian systemic lupus erythematosus patients: troublemaker or onlooker?

Cytomegalovirus-induced oral ulcers: A case report and literature review

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) ulcerations are rare clinical entities, but their occurrence is favored in immunocompromised patients who present a favorable environment for opportunistic infections. We describe the case of a patient treated for a systemic lupus erythematosus suffering from deep oral ulcerations. The case illustrates the complexity of establishing a precise etiological diagnosis of CMV lesions, as the diagnostic hypothesis can be varied: related to an immunodeficiency disorder or drug-induced toxidermia.

Association of serum vitamin D with active human cytomegalovirus infections in Chinese children with systemic lupus erythematosus, CHINA

Vitamin D (VD) plays an important role in infectious and autoimmune diseases. We investigated the association between serum VD levels and active human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. From January 2015 to June 2021, one hundred and twenty children diagnosed with SLE and 100 healthy children were enrolled. Using ELISA, serum 25(OH)D levels were detected. Serum anti-HCMV IgM antibodies were measured by a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Comparisons of 25(OH)D levels between SLE patients and healthy children were performed, as well as subgroups of SLE patients with or without active HCMV infections. Serum 25(OH)D levels of SLE patients were significantly lower than those of healthy children (35.3 ± 12.9 vs 49.3 ± 15.3, P < 0.001). VD deficiency ratio was higher in SLE patients (89.2%) than that in healthy children (52.0%). Serum 25(OH)D levels in the positive anti-HCMV IgM group were significantly lower than those of the negative anti-HCMV IgM group (30.6 ± 12.3 vs 38.2 ± 12.5, P < 0.001). The severe VD deficiency ratio was significantly higher in HCMV-IgM(+)-SLE patients (42.2%) than that in HCMV-IgM(-)-SLE patients (13.3%). This study suggested that serum VD level is associated with active HCMV infections in pediatric SLE patients.