THE EFFECTS OF VIRAL-INFECTIONS ON RENAL-TRANSPLANTS AND THEIR RECIPIENTS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 49  (194) , 219-231
Abstract
A prospective study of viral infections occurring after 188 renal transplants in 167 patients showed active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after 52% of transplantations. CMV seronegative cases (37) who received grafts from seronegative donors remained free of infection; 24 (70.6%) of 34 seronegative recipients whose donors were seropositive developed primary CMV infection (P < 0.001). The diagnosis of 92% of these primary infections was made 1-2 mo. after grafting. Secondary CMV infection was found in 71 (62%) of 114 seropositive cases and the frequency of infection was not affected by the CMV status of the renal donor. Acute rejection episodes and total graft rejections were not associated with primary or secondary infections. CMV was isolated from a colonic abscess and the relationship of the virus to the intestinal disease is discussed. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from 47% of cases and 32% had an increase in antibody titer. Zoster was seen in 9 patients, representing an incidence of 3.4%/yr. Other viral or mycoplasmal infections diagnosed included 71 due to respiratory tract pathogens and a single case of hepatitis B. None of these infections was particularly severe or frequent and no association with graft rejection was detected.