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Is cytomegalovirus associated with renal disease in AIDS patients?

T Nadasdy1, K W Miller, L D Johnson

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.

Insights

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was detected in only 12.8% of kidneys from HIV-infected patients, primarily in those with AIDS. CMV infection in these kidneys was most frequently associated with acute tubular necrosis.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Virology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been hypothesized to contribute to kidney damage in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
  • Previous research lacked systematic investigation into the prevalence and impact of CMV in the kidneys of individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically investigate the presence and localization of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in renal tissues from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients.
  • To determine the association between CMV detection and specific renal pathologies, including HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN).

Main Methods:

  • Examination of 78 renal specimens (75 autopsy kidneys, 2 biopsy, 1 nephrectomy) from HIV-infected individuals.
  • Utilized immunocytochemistry (ICC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) for CMV detection.
  • Employed streptavidin-conjugated alkaline phosphatase with Fast Red TR chromogen as the detection system.

Main Results:

  • CMV was detected in 10 out of 78 kidneys (12.8%), exclusively in patients with AIDS.
  • Positive staining for CMV was most common in glomerular intracapillary cells, followed by interstitial and peritubular capillary cells.
  • Acute tubular necrosis was the most frequent pathological finding in CMV-positive kidneys (60%).

Conclusions:

  • CMV infection is present in a minority of HIV-infected individuals' kidneys, predominantly those with AIDS.
  • CMV detection in renal tissue, even without typical inclusions, can be associated with significant pathology like acute tubular necrosis.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of CMV in HIV-associated kidney disease.

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