Viral infections in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common in renal transplant recipients; 23 recipients were studied prospectively to determine whether infections by other herpes-group and non-herpes-group viruses were also present. Sera, obtained at the time of surgery and periodically thereafter, were tested for antibody to CMV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), parainfluenza viruses types 1, 2 and 3, and the viruses of measles and rubella. There was no evidence of an unusual incidence of primary or secondary infection by the non-herpesviruses tested. Rises to CMV, HSV and EBV antibody titers occurred in 43, 38 and 32% of patients, respectively. All serological rises to herpesviruses occurred in patients seropositive at the time of transplantation, with the exception of 3 patients who experienced primary CMV infections. Reactivation of all herpesviruses tested may occur in transplant recipients. Morbidity was associated only with primary CMV infection.