Elevated plasma osteoprotegerin was associated with ( i ) certain disease characteristics including presence of tissue invasive disease ( P < 0.05 ) and increased viral load at baseline ( P < 0.05 ) , ( ii ) poor virological outcome at day 49 after anti-CMV therapy , ( iii ) increased plasma levels of markers of inflammation ( pentraxin 3 and C-reactive protein ) and endothelial cell activation ( von Willebrand factor ) both at baseline and during follow-up .