Clinical utility of cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology testing in high-risk CMV D+/R- transplant recipients

Am J Transplant. 2005 May;5(5):1065-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00797.x.

Abstract

Late-onset cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a significant problem in D+/R- solid organ transplant (SOT) patients who receive antiviral prophylaxis. We assessed the clinical utility of CMV IgG and IgM serology testing for predicting late-onset CMV disease. We evaluated 352 D+/R- transplant recipients who participated in a trial comparing 100 days of ganciclovir versus valganciclovir prophylaxis. CMV serology was assessed on day 28, 56, 100, and 6 and 12 months post-transplant. IgG seroconversion occurred in 26.9% of patients by day 100, and in 63.4% and 75.3% by 6 and 12 months, respectively. IgM seroconversion occurred in 8.3%, 41.8% and 54.9% by day 100, month 6 and month 12, respectively. Seroconversion by day 100 (end of prophylaxis) was not predictive of subsequent CMV disease (CMV disease 13.3% if seropositive vs. 17.8% if seronegative; p = NS). However, at 6 months post-transplant, IgG serostatus was predictive of subsequent CMV disease between month 6 and 12 (CMV disease 1.3% if seropositive vs. 10.0% if seronegative; p = 0.002). In D+/R- patients, CMV serology testing is for the most part not clinically useful for predicting subsequent disease. However, seroconversion by 6 months may be useful for identifying patients at risk of late-onset CMV disease.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytomegalovirus / metabolism*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / etiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Ganciclovir / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Heart Transplantation / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry
  • Immunoglobulin M / chemistry
  • Kidney Transplantation / methods
  • Liver Transplantation / methods
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Organ Transplantation / methods*
  • Pancreas Transplantation / methods
  • Risk
  • Serologic Tests / methods*
  • Time Factors
  • Valganciclovir
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Valganciclovir
  • Ganciclovir