Viral infection following kidney transplantation: long-term follow-up in a single center

INTRODUCTION: Viral infections are a leading cause of posttransplantation morbidity and mortality. The use of more potent immunosuppressive agents is responsible in part for the increasing incidence of some viral infections. This study summarized our experience with viral infections in 561 kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The spectrum of viral infections in 561 consecutive kidney transplant recipients was examined retrospectively from November 1982 to November 2002. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 64.0 months, 193 virus infections in 156 of 561 kidney transplant recipients were recorded, an incidence of 34.2%. The most common viruses were cytomegalovirus (36.3%), varicella zoster virus (29.0%), herpes simplex virus (23.8%), BK virus (4.7%), hepatitis B virus (3.6%), and hepatitis C virus (2.6%). Among the CMV infections, 77.1% developed subclinical CMV infection and 22.9% had CMV disease. Generalized herpes zoster infection occurred in three cases and chicken pox in six cases. During a mean follow-up of 64.0 months, two of 159 patients died of CMV pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Viral infections among the kidney transplant recipients continue to be a major problem despite significant progress in understanding the pathogenesis of viral infection and the advent of antiviral therapy.