MECHANISMS OF ACTIVATION OF CYTOMEGALOVIR US-INFECTION

Antibodies to cytomegalovirus class IgG and IgM and level of tumor nec rosis factor (TNF) in the serum were measured in 81 patients with seve re surgical infections. In patients with acute lung abscess TNF level was twice higher and activation of cytomegalovirus infection (specific IgM) was three times more frequent than in patients with infectious e ndocarditis. The conclusion is made that severe surgical infections in ducing progressive immunodeficiency-create conditions for activation o f latent viral infections, cytomegalovirus, in particular). Recommenda tions on prevention of hemotransmissible cytomegalovirus infection are presented.