Abstract
Background and Aims
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and infection negatively influence outcome of kidney transplantation. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze risk factors for CMV disease and its influence on kidney graft function and survival.
Method
1050 patients underwent kidney transplantation from January 2014 to December 2018 and received calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil and steroid-based immunosuppression. Recipients with PRA>20% received rATG while others had received basiliximab as induction. 825 out of 1050 patients (78.6%) received CMV prophylaxis (D+/R-, n=173; R+, n=652). Patients were followed up to 71 months /median 38 months/.
Results
CMV tissue invasive disease occurred in 49 out of 1050 patients (4.7%), while CMV infection in 87 patients (8.3%). CMV disease, but not CMV infection, had significant negative influence on graft survival at 5 years post transplantation (p=0.0029). Patients with CMV disease had significantly worse graft function at 4 years post transplantation (p<0.0001). CMV disease occurred in 31 out of 173 patients (17.9%) in D+/R- group vs. 18 out of 652 patients (2.8%) in R+ group. Incidence of CMV infection was 30/173 patients (17.3%) in D+/R- group vs. 57/652 patients (8.7%) with induction therapy. Shortening of CMV prophylaxis was found in 82 patients (9.9%). Leukopenia (≤ 2.0 x 109/L) was observed in 97 (11.7%) patients from those who received CMV prophylaxis, Its shortening significantly increased risk for both CMV infection (20,7% vs. 7.2%, p<0,0001) and CMV disease (8,5% vs. 4,2%, p=0,04). Among most significant risk factors for CMV disease in univariable analysis were CMV mismatch (OR 11, 95% CI: 5,9-20,4; p<0,0001), delayed graft function (OR 2,8, 95% CI: 1,6-5,1; p<0,0001, cadaveric donor (OR 6, 95% CI: 1,5-25,1; p=0,00013) and shortening of CMV prophylaxis (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 0,91-4,86; p=0,08). Multivariable analysis revealed as independent significant predictors of CMV disease DGF (OR 2,29, 95% CI: 1,2-4,3; p=0,01) and CMV mismatch (OR 10,8, 95% CI: 5,7-20,6; p<0.0001) in a model adjusted for type of donor, prophylaxis shortening and leukopenia.
Conclusion
CMV mismatch is the main independent predictor of CMV disease after kidney transplantation in multivariable analysis.