Cytomegalovirus infection and disease in renal transplant patients treated with cyclosporin

In this prospective study, the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and CMV disease was determined in 175 renal transplant recipients on cyclosporin and low-dose prednisone. CMV infection occurred in 51.4% of the patients, CMV disease in 13.7%. The major manifestations of CMV disease were fever of unknown origin and leukopenia. In the group with CMV infection, there was an increased occurrence of rejection (60% in infected vs 27% in noninfected patients). In most patients (41/54), the rejection preceded the CMV infection. CMV infection did not lead to a decreased graft survival. There was no close time relationship between the onset of clinical symptoms of CMV disease and the laboratory confirmation of CMV infection. A subgroup of patients at risk for the development of severe CMV disease could not be identified.