Late cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections after kidney transplantation under the preemptive strategy: Risk factors and clinical aspects

Abstract

Background: Late cytomegalovirus infections (LCMV) after the cessation of prophylaxis are well described. We aimed to assess clinical and epidemiological data on late-occurring cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in the absence of CMV prophylaxis in a cohort of kidney transplant patients.

Methods: In a cohort of kidney transplant recipients not employing CMV-specific prophylaxis, patients with CMV infections occurring after 6 months of transplantation were compared to patients with CMV infections diagnosed within the first 6 months (early infections). The main objectives were to compare clinical outcomes and evaluate risk factors for late CMV infection.

Results: A total of 556 patients were evaluated. Forty-three patients with LCMV infections were compared to 513 patients with early CMV infections. LCMV infections occurred after a median of 473 days of transplantation and had a more severe course, with a statistically significant higher rate of invasive disease and graft loss (60.5% vs 21.6% and 11.6% vs 3.1% respectively). Thirty-day mortality was twice as high for patients with LCMV, but did not reach statistical significance (9.3% vs 4.3%). By multivariate analysis, employment of antilymphocyte therapy early after transplantation and tacrolimus as initial immunosuppressive therapy were significantly protective for the occurrence of LCMV infections.

Conclusion: Late CMV infections in the absence of specific prophylaxis after kidney transplantation have a more severe outcome when compared to early infections and occur in patients less immunosuppressed early after transplantation.

Keywords: cytomegalovirus; kidney transplant; late cytomegalovirus infection (LCMV).