Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes type virus found in 50% of the population. It lies dormant after initial infection and can recur causing various symptoms which include fatigue and decreased cognitive function.
This prospective study looked at the CMV status of 89 women with ovarian cancer and reviewed their cognitive function before and following chemotherapy.
At the time of initial presentation 30% of the women had blood levels of antibodies suggested active CMV infection. This increased to 60% following chemo. The infection rate reverted to 30% once chemo was ceased.
Those women with active CMV disease at the onset had significantly worse cognitive function than the uninfected. The authors suggest that “brain fog”, which is a complication of chemo for ovarian cancer may be in part be due to the presence of active CMV infection, and that women should be screened for CMV as part of the diagnostic workup.
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