Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in renal allograft recipients

Absolute Lymphocyte Count as a Marker for Cytomegalovirus Infection After Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Previous studies indicate an association between reduced absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after solid organ transplantation and have therefore highlighted the potential of ALC as a simple tool to predict CMV infection in transplant patients. This study aimed to examine the utility of ALC as a valuable marker for CMV infection in heart transplant patients.

METHODS

Clinical information and ALC data of all adult patients who received orthotopic heart transplantation at the Medical University of Vienna between January 2004 and May 2019 were collected. We performed a multivariable Cox regression model that incorporates repeated measurements of ALC as a time-varying continuous factor in 2 ways, first as continuous logarithmic factor considering a 50% decrease of ALC levels and second as binary factor using a threshold of 610 cells/μL.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-eight (39%) patients developed CMV infection over the course of 2 y. Patients with lymphopenia were shown to be at higher risk of developing CMV infection both in the continuous approach (HR [per 50% reduction] 1.29; confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.53; P = 0.003) and the binary approach with a cutoff of 610 cells/μL (HR 1.74; CI, 1.20-2.51; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated a strong association between reduced ALC and the development of CMV infection after heart transplantation. ALC value monitoring could provide an additional tool to assess individualized CMV risk after solid organ transplantation.

Prevalence of cytomegalovirus disease in kidney transplant patients in an intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES

To define the frequency of cytomegalovirus disease among kidney transplant patients in an intensive care unit in which this complication was suspected and to identify predisposing factors and their possible impact on clinical outcome.

METHODS

Retrospective observational study in which kidney transplant patients over the age of 18 years were hospitalized for any reason in an intensive care unit with at least one collection of samples to test for the presence of antigenemia or cytomegalovirus via polymerase chain reaction during hospitalization. Cytomegalovirus disease was defined as positive antigenemia or polymerase chain reaction above 500 copies/mL in the presence of symptoms and in the appropriate clinical setting, as judged by the attending physician.

RESULTS

A total of 99 patients were included (age: 53.4 ± 12.8 years, 71.6% male). Cytomegalovirus disease was diagnosed in 39 patients (39.4%). Respiratory symptoms (51%), non-specific clinical worsening (20%) or gastrointestinal symptoms (14%) were the main reasons for exam collection. Transplant time was lower in those with cytomegalovirus disease than in those without this diagnosis (6.5 months and 31.2 months, p = 0.001), along with pulse therapy in the last 6 months (41% and 16.9%, p = 0.008) and previous use of thymoglobulin in the last year (35.9% and 6.8%, p < 0.001). In the logistic regression model, only the transplant time and the use of thymoglobulin were associated with a higher frequency of cytomegalovirus. There was no difference in clinical evolution between patients with and without cytomegalovirus disease.

CONCLUSION

In kidney transplant patients suspected of cytomegalovirus disease, the prevalence was high. Transplant time less than 6 months, and the use of thymoglobulin in the last year should increase the intensivist's suspicion for this complication.

Cytomegalovirus disease in renal transplant recipients: a single-center experience

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common viral infection following kidney transplant, has been recognized as a major factor for graft loss and increased incidence of acute rejection. Different studies have reported a variable incidence of CMV disease with the use of Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). We retrospectively analyzed our renal transplant recipients to review the results of CMV disease and to compare CMV disease in patient on Azathioprine and MMF for this purpose we retrospectively reviewed 521 live related kidney transplant recipients at our institute. 74 (14.2 %) live related allograft recipients developed CMV disease after a median interval of 7.18 ± 4.35 months from transplantation. The mean age was 36.15 ± 10.7 years. 63 of the patients were male. Malaise, fever and diarrhea were among most common symptoms. 20 (27.02 %) of the 74 recipients developed transaminitis, 13 (17.2 %) developed CMV gastritis, 5 (9.13 %) recipients developed pneumonia, and 3 (4.05 %) patient developed colitis. 59 (80 %) patients had leucopenia and 41 (56.5 %) developed thrombocytopenia. Mean serum creatinine level was 1.5 ± 0.4 (0.9-2.4) mg/dl before the disease, 1.9 ± 0.6 (1.3-3.6) mg/dl at the time of the diagnosis, and 1.7 ± 0.06 (0.8-4.2) mg/dl at the end of the treatment. CMV disease developed in 9 (36 %) of recipients who received basiliximab as induction therapy and 13 (30.24 %) of recipients who received ATG (p > 0.05). The incidence of CMV disease was similar in cyclosporine based regimen (13.2 %) and Tacrolimus based regimen 27 (16.16 %) (p = 0.137) and was also similar in Azathioprine 41 (9.5 %) and MMF group 33 (14.3 %) (p = 0.163). There was no significant difference in severity of CMV disease in both groups, except a higher incidence of leucopenia in Azathioprine group (86 vs. 74 %, p < 0.05) as compared to MMF group. 51 (68.91 %) patient developed graft dysfunction during CMV disease. In conclusion we report a low incidence (14.2 %) and milder form of cytomegalovirus disease at our center. Use of universal cytomegalovirus prophylaxis was associated with a low incidence and milder form of the disease. Incidence of CMV disease was similar between Azathioprine and MMF groups.

Signs and symptoms of cytomegalovirus disease in kidney transplant recipients

PURPOSE

To investigate the range of clinical presentations of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in kidney transplant recipients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of hundred kidney recipients who developed CMV disease between 1984 and December 2002 for demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, and presenting signs and symptoms.

RESULTS

The most common presentations were elevated serum creatinine in 74 patients, fever in 71, thrombocytopenia in 43, nausea in 32, vomiting in 25, elevated alkaline phosphatase in 24, leukocytosis in 22, and leukopenia in 21. Tissue involvement was relatively rare, but six patients had pneumonia, two had conjunctivitis, and one had vascular dermatitis. Four percent of the patients had received intravenous ganciclovir prophylaxis, and 7% had received oral ganciclovir prophylaxis. Fever was associated with number of hospitalizations (P = .006), elevated creatinine (P = .006), nausea (P = .017), vomiting (P = .031), and previous posttransplantation infections (P < .001). All the patients with conjunctivitis, pneumonia, pulmonary symptoms, and abnormal heart sounds and most of those with arthralgia, nausea, and vomiting were febrile during their CMV disease course.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that leukocytosis should be considered as much as leukopenia when CMV disease is suspected. CMV-induced pneumonia is not common in renal transplant recipients compared to other organ transplant recipients. CMV invasion to other tissues is also rare. Finally, fever is a common symptom and important in assessing the severity and prognosis of the disease.

Infectious Complications After Simultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Transplantation

Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) improves long-term survival of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic nephropathy. The increasing success of SPKT is a result of improved surgical technique, better organ preservation, potent antirejection therapy, and effective use of antibiotics to prevent and treat infectious complications. However, morbidity and mortality following SPKT remain high mainly owing to infection. From 1988 to 2004, the 51 patients who underwent SPKT were 32 women and 19 men of mean age 34 +/- 4 years old with diabetes and end-stage renal disease. The mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 23 +/- 4 years. The incidence of HCV and HBV infections were 19.6% and 13.7%, respectively. Preoperative work-up included identification and elimination prior to surgery of potential sources of infection. All patients prior to SPKTx had been treated by dialysis (26 +/- 20 months). The kidneys were always placed into the left retroperitoneal space first; at the same time the pancreatic grafts were prepared on the back table. The reconstruction of the superior mesenteric and the splenic arteries was performed using a Y graft of donor iliac artery to the common or external donor's iliac artery. The pancreas was transplanted intraperitoneally to the right iliac vessels. The portal vein was sutured to the common or external iliac vein and the arterial conduit of donor iliac artery. In 20 of the patients, bladder drainage and in 31, enteric drainage was used for the pancreatic juice exterioration. Patients received immunosuppression with a calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or cyclosporin), mycophenolic acid or azathioprine, and steroids. Antibody induction (alternatively anti-IL-2 monoclonal antibody or ATG) was used in last 38 patients. Antibacterial (tazobactam) and antifungal (fluconazole) as well as antiviral (gancyclovir) prophylactic treatment was given to all patients for 7 to 10 days after transplantation. Thirty-eight recipients are alive, 26 with function of both grafts; 8 with functioning kidney grafts; and 4 with nonfunctioning grafts on dialysis treatment from 1 to 14 years after transplantation. Thirteen patients (24.5%) died during the first year after transplantation. Infectious complications were the main cause of death. Systemic infections accounted for the death of five patients and CNS infection for death of another five patients. Three patients died with functioning grafts due to cardiopulmonary disorders (myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus) early in the postoperative period. A total of 102 infections were diagnosed in 51 patients during the posttransplant course. Twenty-one episodes of CMV infection (systemic 20, duodenal site 1), 73 bacterial infections (systemic 13, pulmonary 13, urinary tract 15, intestinal 8, wound 23), and 8 fungal infections (central nervous system 5, gastrointestinal tract 3). Some patients had more than one type of infection. Overall mortality in the investigated group was 24.5%. Infectious complications were the main cause of death (77%), including systemic infection (38.5%) and CNS infection (38.5%). The predominant etiology of the systemic infections was bacterial. The etiology of CNS infections was fungal. In conclusion, infectious complications are the main cause of morbidity and mortality following SPKT. The early diagnosis of infection, particularly fungal complications, is necessary. The administration of broad-spectrum prophylactic antibiotics, antifungal, and antiviral agents is recommended.