IDENTIFICATION OF VIRUSES IN THE URINE OF RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS BY CYTOMORPHOLOGY

Abstract

This study was designed to reassess the cytomorpholgoy of viral infections in urinary cells obtained from renal transplant patients and to examine the association, if any, between these cytologic changes and the transplant rejection. Cytologic specimens (2354) obtained from 91 renal transplant recipients were evaluated. A combination of techniques, including cellulosic filters, immunofluorescence, hemagglutination inhibition and EM, was used. Cytologic observations were correlated with the patient''s clinical history. Patients (38) revealed cytologic evidence of viral infections (herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus and papovavirus). These viral infections had distinct cytomorphology. Cytomegalovirus infection may manifest as intracytoplasmic, orangeophilic inclusions, in addition to the classical intranuclear inclusion. In the majority of renal transplant patients there apeared to be no relationship between the viral infection and the renal transplant rejection episodes.