Cytomegalovirus infection and thrombosis: a causative association?

Venous thrombosis is a well-organised complication of hospitalisation and has often been reported in the context of HIV infection. Less frequently cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been implicated in the development of thrombosis, although usually in the context of immunosuppression. We report the case of a young, immunocompetent individual who developed pulmonary emboli as a complication of CMV infection and describe the three proposed mechanisms by which this is thought to occur. The probable mechanism in our patient is discussed.