Clinical Aspects of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Kidney-Graft Recipients

Abstract

100 immunosuppressed renal allograft recipients were carefully followed for serologic, clinical and/or virologic evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Active infection was diagnosed in 86 (43 women), on average, 2½ months after transplantation. The amount of blood given at transplantation was positively correlated to evidence of infection, whereas negative serologic tests for CMV antibody and presence of high CMV antibody titer at time of transplantation were negatively related. Infection was symptomatic in 13 patients (11 women); of these 9 apparently had a primary infection and 8 were 21 years of age or younger. Pulmonary symptoms were seen in 6 and 2 died of CMV pneumonia.