Sequelae of cytomegalovirus pulmonary infections in lung allograft recipients

Indirect effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in lung transplant recipients (LTX) have not previously been described in detail. We compared spirometric results, development of chronic rejection, rates of respiratory superinfections, and mortality as long as 2 yr after transplantation, between 62 LTX who never developed CMV (CMV-) and 56 LTX with a history of CMV pulmonary infections (CMV+). Initial spirometric parameters were near identical for both groups, but determinations > or = 6 months after transplantation showed that expiratory flows of the CMV+ were significantly reduced. Actuarial prevalences of chronic allograft rejection (CR) at 2 yr were highest among CMV+ with biopsy-proved pneumonitis (74%) compared with 22% among CMV- (p < 0.038). Bacterial or fungal pneumonias developed in 58.9% of the CMV+, whereas the rate among CMV- was 38.7% (p < 0.05). Only 36% of LTX with CMV pneumonitis lived 2 yr compared with 70% survival for CMV- (p < 0.016). Ganciclovir treatment of CMV infections decreased rates of respiratory superinfections and improved survival of patients, but it did not appear to affect subsequent development of CR. We conclude that CMV pulmonary infections among LTX result in serious late sequelae and that current treatment is ineffectual for prevention of viral-associated CR in these patients.