Molecular Investigation of Cytomegalovirus in Hospitalized Pediatric Cancer Patients with Neutropenic Fever: A Single-Center Cross-sectional Study in Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Infections are major contributors to morbidity and mortality during neutropenia in children undergoing cancer treatment, particularly in the setting of febrile neutropenia. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate herpesvirus infections in children with various malignancies presenting with neutropenic fever. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted from May 2022 to May 2023 at Baghaei Hospital in Ahvaz, 5 mL of whole blood was collected from 41 patients with various malignancies who presented with neutropenic fever. DNA was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using universal herpesvirus primers and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific primers. Results: Among 41 patients with malignancy, 5 (12.2%) tested positive with universal herpesvirus primers, and all 5 tested positive with CMV-specific primers. Conclusions: Cytomegalovirus was identified as a probable viral agent of fever and neutropenia in children with malignancy. These findings underscore the importance of testing for viral etiologies of neutropenic fever to inform treatment decisions.