Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication of immunosuppression after heart transplant. Recent studies suggest the actual immunosuppressive regimen may affect the risk of CMV infection.
Objectives: To evaluate incidence, risk factors and clinical consequences of CMV infection and assess the possible differential effect of distinct immunosuppressive protocols.
Study design: Single centre, prospective cohort study of 378 consecutive heart transplant recipients undergoing CMV monitoring. Preemptive treatment was the standard of care. Patients were grouped as follows: group A, without any CMV infection; group B, with CMV infection not requiring pre-emptive treatment; group C, treated for CMV infection or disease.
Results: Most recipients never required antiviral therapy because of no CMV infection/disease (group A, 31%) or CMV levels below the cut-off for pre-emptive treatment (group B, 28%). Group C recipients (41%) were significantly older than group A patients (49.1±13.2 vs. 44.8±15.1 years; p=0.028). Most cases occurred within the second month post-transplant. CMV viremia was detected in 77% and 62% of patients primed with thymoglobulin or ATG Fresenius, respectively, (OR 2.06, 95% C.I. 1.27-3.34; p=0.0034). Use of everolimus was associated with a significantly lower rate of CMV infection compared to azathioprine or mycophenolate (OR 0.19, 95% C.I. 0.09-0.39; p<0.0001). Major opportunistic infections were significantly more common in groups B and C.
Conclusion: In a large and homogeneous cohort of heart transplant recipients, we observed a strong relationship between the immune suppressive regimen and CMV infection, as well as an increased incidence of other opportunistic infections in recipients with CMV infection/disease.
Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Immunosuppression; Opportunistic infection; Prognosis; Transplant.
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