Importance of CMV in the transplant population

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can be documented in more than half of patients after organ transplantation; viral replication may persist for the long term. It is known that CMV can affect the capacity of the host to mount a defense against complicating infections, particularly in the presence of a mismatch in major histocompatibility antigens between donor and graft recipient. Additionally, some proposed pathogenic mechanisms suggest that the production of growth factors in response to CMV infection may play a significant role in the indirect effects of CMV infection. The accumulating evidence of the direct effects of CMV on allograft survival as well as on the host immune system should lead to a review of prophylactic and therapeutic measures, with a view toward tailoring antiviral prevention protocols to specific patient, characteristics.