Cytomegalovirus infection in transplant recipients
Gondo, H.
Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine 56(1): 173-178
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0047-1852 PMID: 9465685 Document Number: 492742
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important infectious agent in transplant recipients. The critical step in the pathogenesis of CMV infection is the reactivation of latent virus, which is affected by the immunosuppressive therapy and/or alloantigenic stimulation. The clinical effects of CMV infection include CMV disease (syndrome), an immunosuppressed state, and allograft injury. Recently, the incidence of serious CMV diseases after transplant has been decreased, probably due to the advance in the method for rapid diagnosis, the ganciclovir administration, and the effective prevention of CMV diseases. Seronegative or filtered blood products, CMV immune globulin, and prophylactic or preemptive therapy with ganciclovir appear contribute to the improvement in the prophylaxis for CMV diseases after transplant. Antigenemia-guided early treatment may be promising for the effective prevention of CMV diseases after transplant.