[Obliterative arteriopathy in chronic rejection after hepatic transplantation. Search of cytomegalovirus genome by in situ hybridization and viral antigens by immunohistochemistry].

OBJECTIVES

This study was performed to assess the role of cytomegalovirus in the parietal infection of intrahepatic arteries in the pathogenesis of obliterative arteriopathy from chronic rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation.

METHODS

We studied two groups of liver transplants by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry: group 1, including 10 liver grafts with obliterating arteriopathy, and group 2 including 7 liver grafts without any arterial disorders. The results were correlated with clinical data (cytomegalovirus infection and acute rejection).

RESULTS

By in situ hybridization, cytomegalovirus DNA was identified in the media in 70% of transplants in group 1 and 42% in group 2. Detection of immediate early and late antigens by immunohistochemistry was negative. Cytomegalovirus infections were often associated with acute rejection.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that cytomegalovirus detected in arteries is latent, and that cytomegalovirus probably does not play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic rejection obliterative arteriopathy.