[Complications of infections attributed to cytomegalovirus in a group of 52 kidney transplant patients].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after renal transplantation was studied over a one year period in 52 patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs. During the infectious episodes, viral shedding was systematically detected in the blood and urines by culture on MRC5 cells and CMV antibodies were titrated in the serum by ELISA (IgG: M. A. Bioproducts, IgM: immunocapture Wellcome) and compared to the initial antibody titer determined the day of transplantation. Primary CMV infection was observed in 6 of 22 seronegative patients, attested by CMV shedding from urine and/or blood and by the emergence of CMV IgM antibodies. This primary infection was severe, including at least 4 of the following features: fever greater than 38 degrees C, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, cytolytic hepatitis, pneumonia, impaired renal function, neurological syndrome, usually occurring about 6 weeks after transplantation. Reactivation was found in 12 of 30 seropositive patients, as shown by excretion of CMV in the urine and significant rise of specific antibodies. This reactivation occurring about 9 weeks after surgery was symptomatic in 5 patients with severe illness and associated with the presence of IgM antibodies in 2 cases. Rise of CMV antibodies was observed in 10 seropositive patients without excretion of virus. It coincided with symptomatic infection in only three patients who displayed severe symptoms, with presence of CMV IgM antibodies in one case. As previously reported, we confirm that CMV infection is a frequent complication of organ transplantation. It may be clinically silent in renal transplant patients or cause problems ranging from fever to pneumonia or retinitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)