Cytomegalovirus pneumonia after living-related donor kidney transplantation : the experiences of one single center within 10 years

Abstract

Objective To report one-center experience on diagnosis and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia in recipients after living-related donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Methods The clinical and follow-up data of 168 recipients after LDKT from April 2005 to September 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. We analyzed the general information, clinical manifestation, treatment and outcomes of 34 recipients who were diagnosed as CMV pneumonia. Of the 34 patients, 26 were male and 8 were female. The average age were 32.0 years old. Thirty-four patients developed CMV pneumonia between 12 to 402 days with an average of (91.7±60.8) days post-transplant. It was (6.4±3.7) d(range 1-14 d) from the onset of illness to seeking medical intervention. All cases presented with fever, 18 cases with dyspnea, 11 cases with cough and 6 cases with myalgia or fatigue. The highest temperature was (38.8±0.5)℃ (range 38.0-40.0℃). Leukocyte count was (10.5±4.4)×109/L, elevated in 18 cases, normal in 14 cases, reduced in 2 cases. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assay for CMV DNA was (9.3-15.8)×103 copies/ml for active CMV infection. Chest X ray or CT of all cases demonstrated patchy shadow or interstitial pneumonia. The etiological examination showed that 12 cases were complicated with other microorganism, including 8 cases with Pneumocystis carinii, 3 cases with Streptococcus A, 3 cases with Neisseria, 3 cases with candida albicans, 2 cases with klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa varied 1 case. Results In antiviral therapy, patients were treated by introvenous ganciclovir 5 mg/kg every 12 h for 14-21d and then 5 mg/kg every day. Glucocorticoid treatment included intravenous methylprednisolone 200 mg/kg for 3-5 d, then gradually reduced to 160 mg/kg for 3-5 d, 120 mg/kg for 3 d, 80 mg/kg for 3 d, 40 mg/kg for 3-5 d, until to the original oral dose. Early application of broad-spectrum antibiotics was to prevent bacterial infection, and routine application of compound sulfamethoxazole to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Treatment options were adjusted according to periodic bacteria and fungal culture in blood, urine or sputum, and effective anti bacterial, viral or fungal treatment was selected. After administration of antiviral therapy, methylprednisolone, treatment for other microorganism, as well as adjusted immunosuppressive drugs, 30 cases were cured. The total course of the pneumonia lasted for (28.5±9.4) days on average. However, 4 patients complicated with other microorganism died of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Conclusion CMV infection was a common complication of living-related donor kidney transplantation. CMV infection often complicated with other microbial infections, and became one of the causes of death after renal transplantation. Early diagnosis, early antiviral therapy combined with effective anti bacterial, fungal treatment would improve the survival of kidney transplant recipients. Key words: Cytomegalovirus; Kidney transplantation; Living donors; Pneumonia