“…CMV prophylaxis with 100 days of valganciclovir was given to the D+RÀ serostatus group only, with dose adjustment for renal function. Serial whole blood samples were taken for CMV DNA polymerase chain reaction in all patients at day 0 (before transplantation) and then at weeks 1,2,3,4,6,8,10,12,16,20,24,28,34,40,46, and 52. The clinical team remained unaware of these results, and no changes in clinical management ensued (it is not unit policy to undertake viral load testing and preemptive therapy in the context of asymptomatic CMV infection, as is the case in most centers, so these assessments were undertaken for research purposes only).…”