Impact assessment and investigation of factors associated with herpesviruses viremia in the first year of renal transplantation

Abstract

The increased risk for opportunistic infections after a renal transplant requires monitoring of viral infections to avoid future complications. Our goal was to investigate the impact and factors associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) viremia in renal transplant recipients. Whole blood samples were collected monthly from 82 patients during the first semester and then quarterly up to 1 year after transplantation. EBV, HCMV, and HHV-6 were detected and quantified by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that EBV and HCMV viremia were detected in 32 patients (39% each), while HHV-6 viremia in only 3 patients (3.7%). EBV was significantly associated with age (P = .050), thymoglobuline induction (P = .019), mTOR inhibitor-based therapy (P = .003), and female gender (P = .044). HCMV was significantly associated with basiliximab induction (P = .015), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based therapy (P = .003) and allograft acute rejection (P = .033). Moreover, HCMV-disease was correlated with MMF-based therapy (P = .021) and female gender (P = .003). In conclusion, EBV and HCMV viremia were associated with different immunosuppressive induction and maintenance strategies. Additionally, higher HCMV viremia (> 10 4 copies/mL) was related to acute allograft rejection. K E Y W O R D SEpstein-Barr virus, human cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus type 6, transplant

Risk factors for Epstein–Barr virus reactivation after renal transplantation: Results of a large, multi‐centre study

“…Regarding sex effects, male patients suffered from a significantly higher incidence of EBV reactivation in our cohort. This is in disagreement with previous epidemiological studies with smaller cohorts [32][33][34].…”

Investigation of cytokine polymorphisms on viral infections after renal transplantation exhibit association between IFN‐γ +874 A > T and CMV manifestations

“…Baseline demographic (age and gender), clinical (induction therapy; acute rejection; death; DGF; creatinine level; CMV serology and CMV disease) and virological (BKPyV, EBV, HHV‐6 and CMV viral loads) data have been described in a previous study (Savassi‐Ribas et al., 2020). Forty‐four patients (54.3%) were submitted to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)‐based immunosuppressive regimen, while 37 (45.7%) to mTOR inhibitors.…”