Neutropenia related to valacyclovir and valganciclovir in 2 renal transplant patients and treatment with granulocyte colony stimulating factor: a case report.

OBJECTIVES

Posttransplant leukopenia is frequently observed in renal transplant. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor controls the production of functional neutrophils and their release into peripheral blood. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor has been widely and frequently used for many conditions and disorders in the field of hematology and oncology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present the cases of valacyclovir-related and valganciclovir-related neutropenia in 2 renal transplant recipients.

RESULTS

Both cases had renal transplants from live donors. The first one was an 18-year-old man. Laboratory investigations revealed his leukocyte count as 1.7 x 10(9)/L. The patient was using mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, and valganciclovir. Mycophenolate mofetil was stopped because he had neutropenia, and later, valganciclovir was also stopped because the neutropenia persisted. Because the neutropenia did not recover after we discontinued valganciclovir, the patient was administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. The neutrophil count increased to 2.2 x 10(9)/L (leucocyte count to 6.5 x 10(9)/L) after 24 hours. The second case was a 37-year-old man and was using mycophenolic acid, tacrolimus, and valacyclovir. Laboratory investigations revealed his leukocyte count to be 1.3 x 10(9)/L. Mycophenolic acid and valganciclovir were stopped owing to neutropenia. The patient was administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and the neutrophil count increased to 3.8 x 10(9)/L (leucocyte count to 5.8 x 10(9)/L). The kidney functions did not deteriorate in either patient, and the patients' kidney functions were similar to baseline levels 12 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor can be used safely and effectively in renal transplant patients.