Positive donor and negative recipient cytomegalovirus status is a detrimental factor for long-term renal allograft survival

Abstract
In 524 allogeneic cadaveric kidney transplants, the impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) donor/recipient status on the incidence of CMV infection, CMV disease, early and long‐term graft, and patient survival have been analyzed with respect to rejection episodes. Most CMV infections (59%) and diseases (17%) were found in CMV‐negative recipients of CMV‐positive kidneys. The 1‐year function rate of CMV‐positive kidneys (75%) dropped about 10% below that of CMV‐negative organs (85%), and in the case of CMV‐negative recipients an additional graft loss of more than 10% happened within the 4th and 5th years (5‐year graft survival pos./neg.: 56%). This detrimental effect was exaggerated if it coincided with antibody‐treated rejection episodes.