Association between delayed graft function and cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplant

Delayed graft function (DGF) is a significant risk factor for renal allograft failure. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and investigate whether DGF is associated with an increased risk of CMV infection in renal transplant recipients.

In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we analyzed CMV outcomes in deceased donor renal transplant recipients with and without DGF. Univariate and multivariate odds ratio were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Data from 124 recipients (mean age: 44.72±9.97 years; 89 males) were evaluated. Cytomegaloviruria was diagnosed in 16 patients (12.9%) within one year post-transplantation. Patients with DGF exhibited a significantly higher risk of cytomegaloviruria compared to those without DGF (P=0.02). Additionally, the DGF group demonstrated lower lymphocyte proportions and absolute CD4⁺ T cell counts than the non-DGF group (P=0.03 and P=0.01, respectively).

Our findings suggest that renal transplant recipients with DGF are at an increased risk of developing cytomegaloviruria. These results highlight the need for prospective studies to evaluate the utility of monitoring CMV viral loads and CD4⁺ T lymphocyte counts in patients with DGF to guide clinical management.