Late onset of fatal cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation. Primary or reactivation infection?

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are a recognized problem in the first 6 mo. after renal transplantation. Studies suggested that primary infections produce symptomatic disease, but reactivation infections are usually asymptomatic. Two patients are described who developed fatal CMW infections in the 2nd year after transplantation. Both patients had typical CMV disease with fever, pneumonitis and hepatitis. Results of serologic studies in 1 patient were characteristic of primary infection, with seroconversion at the time of disease and appearance of specific Ig[immunoglobulin]M antibodies. The other patient had a similar antibody response at the time of his illness, but serial antibody tests showed that he had a transient seroconversion in the 2nd mo. after transplantation that was not associated with clinical symptoms. CMV infection must be considered in the differential diagnosis of serious febrile illnesses even in the late post-transplantation period and may occur either as the result of primary or reactivation infection. Serologic studies at the time of illness may not allow distinction between the types of infection.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: