The burden of cytomegalovirus infection remains high in high‐risk kidney transplant recipients despite six‐month valganciclovir prophylaxis

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus continues to be a concern after transplantation despite prophylaxis regimens. Our aim was to analyse post‐prophylaxis primary cytomegalovirus infections among kidney transplant recipients after 6‐month valganciclovir prophylaxis and to determine the usefulness of surveillance after prophylaxis. Data from all cytomegalovirus D+/R‐ kidney transplant recipients from January 2004 to October 2018 at our center who received 6‐month prophylaxis with valganciclovir were retrospectively analysed (N = 481). Detailed analyses were performed for 136 patients who were monitored every 2‐4 weeks for DNAemia after the discontinuation of prophylaxis. Post‐prophylaxis primary cytomegalovirus infection occurred in 182/481 (38%) patients median 264 days after transplantation (IQR: 226‐367) and median 84 days after the end of prophylaxis (IQR: 46‐187). In 49% patients, cytomegalovirus infection occurred over 3 months after the end of prophylaxis. Cytomegalovirus infection was not associated with lower patient or graft survival and no independent risk factors for infection were found. From patients monitored closely, 71/136 (52%) patients developed post‐prophylaxis primary cytomegalovirus infection. Altogether, 52/136 (38%) patients were diagnosed with probable post‐prophylaxis cytomegalovirus disease and 19/136 (14%) patients had asymptomatic CMV infection. Recurrent infection occurred in 38/71 (39%) patients. The incidence of post‐prophylaxis primary cytomegalovirus infection among D+/R‐ kidney transplant recipients remains high despite 6‐month prophylaxis. Surveillance after prophylaxis was challenging as a considerable portion of the infections occurred late and already symptomatic.