Cytomegalovirus infection after small bowel transplantation

Abstract

Objective Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has remained the most significant pathogen that threatens the outcome of small bowel transplantation (SBTx). This paper To outline preliminary experience of prophylaxis and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 15 cases subject to small bowel transplantation (SBTx) and also review current progress of diagnosis and treatment of CMV.Methods Fifteen cases of SBTx were divided into 3 eras: era Ⅰ (1994-1995)-3 SBTx treated with cyclosporine-based immunosuppression; era Ⅱ (2003-2006)-7 SBTx treated with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression; and era Ⅲ (2007-present)-5 SBTx treated with Alemtuzumab induction therapy and maintenance tacrolimus monotherapy. No antiviral prophylaxis after SBTx was applied during era Ⅰ; in era Ⅱ, ileoscopic and pathological diagnosis of CMV graft enteritis was defined, and plasma diagnosis tools including CMV-IgM, CMV pp65 and CMV DNA with PCR were introduced. 2-3 weeks intravenous ganciclovir prophylaxis of CMV was underway, followed by 3 months oral acyclovir; In era Ⅲ, more precise real-time PCR technique was used to detect CMV DNA copies, and the schedule of the CMV surveillance was set up, antiviral prophylaxis therapy was modified to 2-3 weeks intravenous ganciclovir and 3 months oral ganciclovir, and preemptive therapy to halt the progression of asymptomatic infection to clinical disease was also introduced.Results Two of 15 SBTx recipients suffered from CMV with the occurrence rate of 13.3%. One recipient in era Ⅱ suffered from CMV graft enteritis on postoperative day 45, and CMV pneumonia on postoperative day 64, he received intravenous ganciclovir and thymus peptide, paused tacrolimus maintenance, and finally he died from severe acute cellular rejection. 94 100 copies/ml of CMV DNA in periphery blood of a recipient in era Ⅲ was detected with real-time PCR at 3rd month after SBTx, and a preemptive therapy successfully halted the CMV infection.Conclusion Antiviral prophylaxis therapy and close surveillance of CMV infection after SBTx should be performed, and preemptive therapy can also halt the CMV infection. When CMV disease occurs, the recipient should receive effective antiviral therapy, and acute cellular rejection also should be closely monitored at same time. Key words: Small intestine transplantation; Cytomegalovirus; Infection; Ganciclovir