Universal prophylaxis with gancyclovir preparation is not necessary in our kidney allograft recipients

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common cause of morbidity, graft loss, and mortality among kidney recipients due to its direct and indirect influences on organs and systems. In this study, we evaluated CMV infection in transplant recipients in Iran.

We performed a retrospective study of 104 renal allograft recipients and their donors transplanted between January 2005 and January 2010. We included all patients (recipients and donors) with least one valid laboratory result for CMV immunoglobulin (Ig)G and CMV IgM. We evaluated the occurrence of CMV disease in allograft recipients in at least the first 3 years after renal transplantation.

Fifty-seven renal allograft recipients (54.8%) were males and 47 (45.2%) were females. The overall mean (±standard error) age was 40.32±13.30 years. CMV IgG was positive in 95 cases (91.3%), negative in 9 (8.7%). Serologically, 76.9% patients were D+/R+ 14.4% D-/R+, and 8.7% D+R-. Due to the proccurrence of rejection rendering them high-risk patients for CMV infection about 15% of subjects were treated with anti thymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by prophylactic intravenous gancyclovir for 2 weeks, at doses based on allograft function. Confirmed CMV infection and CMV disease occurred in less than 5% of recipients in the first year after transplantation. About 6% of renal allograft recipients died due to infections during the first 3 years posttransplantation but CMV disease was not confirmed in these patients.

Due to the living donor-based renal transplantation program, the selection of low-risk patients (panel-reactive antibodies 30%), the low percent of D+/R- patients (8.7%) and the low use of ATG for induction therapy in the Iranian model, universal prophylaxis with gancyclovir is not routinely recommended for our cases.