Deoxythymidine kinase, a possible marker for monitoring activity of cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation.

Measurement of deoxythymidine kinase activity (S-TK) in serum is used as a marker for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection following transplant surgery. A case is presented where a kidney transplant patient suffered a fatal CMV infection. The new antiviral drug Foscarnet was used to treat the infection. Retrospective analysis of S-TK showed a good correlation with the course of the disease, its treatment, recurrence and final outcome.