Abstract
BackgroundThe use of T-cell-depleting antibody, such as thymoglobulin, is a risk factor for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. We studied the effectiveness of 6 months of low-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis in CMV-naive kidney transplant recipients of CMV-positive donor kidney (D+/R−) receiving thymoglobulin induction. MethodsWe included all D+/R− kidney transplant patients between October 2005 and December 2010 who received valganciclovir 450 mg daily for 6 months as per center protocol. CMV infection was confirmed by positive viremia. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox proportional regression analyses were employed to compare the risk of CMV infection between patients with and without the use of thymoglobulin induction. ResultsOut of 170 D+/R− kidney transplant patients, 42 cases of CMV infection (24.6%) were diagnosed after a median follow-up of 3.2 years: six patients from the noninduction (9.4%) and 36 from the induction cohort (34.0%). The induction with thymoglobulin was associated with four times greater risk of developing CMV infection (adjusted hazard ratio: AHR 4.15, 95% 1.75, 9.86, P = .001). The use of thymoglobulin was associated with leukopenia but not neutropenia. ConclusionsAdditional measures are needed to reduce the elevated incidence of CMV infection in D+/R− kidney transplant patients receiving induction with thymoglobulin.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.