Subclinical cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus viremia are associated with adverse outcomes in pediatric renal transplantation

Pediatr Transplant. 2007 Mar;11(2):187-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3046.2006.00641.x.

Abstract

Post-transplant clinical disease with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a known risk factor for graft dysfunction and lymphoproliferation. We postulate that subclinical, asymptomatic viremia also adversely impacts outcomes, and may warrant re-assessment of current monitoring and antiviral prophylaxis protocols. A single-center study was conducted on 102 pediatric (51 steroid-free and 51 matched steroid-based historical controls). Quantitative viral loads were serially monitored and correlated with outcome measures. Overall, the incidence of CMV and EBV clinical disease was 5% (1% CMV and 4% EBV); however, the incidence of subclinical viremia was 44% (12.7% CMV, 38.2% EBV, 6.9% CMV + EBV). Risk factors for subclinical viremia were EBV naivety (p = 0.07), age less than five yr (p = 0.04), lack of prophylaxis (p = 0.01), and steroid usage (p = 0.0007). Subclinical viremia was associated with lower three-yr graft function (p = 0.03), increased risk of acute rejection (odds ratio 2.07; p = 0.025), hypertension (p = 0.04), and graft loss (p = 0.03). Subclinical asymptomatic CMV and EBV viremia is a risk factor for graft injury and loss. These findings support the need for aggressive, serial viral monitoring to better determine the appropriate length of post-transplant antiviral prophylaxis, and to determine the effect of immunosuppression protocols on the development of viremia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / prevention & control
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Logistic Models
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Viral Load
  • Viremia / epidemiology
  • Viremia / immunology
  • Viremia / prevention & control
  • Viremia / virology*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ganciclovir