Cytomegalovirus Immune Plasma in Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of passive immunization on cytomegalovirus infection and interstitial pneumonia in marrow transplants were evaluated in a randomized, controlled trial. Twenty-four patients received cytomegalovirus immune plasma before and after transplantation and 24 patients were controls. Although the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was similar in the control and plasma groups, symptomatic infection (12 of 24 vs. 5 of 24, P = 0.07) and interstitial pneumonia (11 of 24 vs. 5 of 24, P = 0.12) occurred less frequently in the group receiving plasma. Cytomegalovirus infection occurred in 11 of 13 recipients of leukocyte transfusions and in 16 of 35 patients not given leukocyte transfusions (P = 0.02). Among patients not given leukocyte transfusions, the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was similar in the control and plasma groups, but symptomatic infection (8 of 18 vs. 1 of 17, P = 0.03) and interstitial pneumonia (9 of 18 vs. 1 of 17, P = 0.01) were significantly less in the group receiving plasma. Passive immunization apparently modifies cytomegalovirus infection in humans and prevents interstitial pneumonia in marrow transplants, especially when leukocyte transfusions are not used.