Cytomegalovirus infection among Iranian kidney graft recipients

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most common infectious
problems following kidney transplantation. In this study we sought to investigate CMV
infection in the setting of renal transplant recipients in Urmia, Iran, using polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) detection.
Methods. Ninety-six randomly selected renal transplant recipient were enrolled in a
cross-sectional study. Blood sampling via venipuncture, yielded sera investigated for
anti-CMV IgM. Seropositive as well as 14 randomly selected seronegative cases were
investigated with PCR assays.
Results. Thirty-three patients (34.3%) were seropositive for anti-CMV IgM; 3 (3.1%)
borderline, and 60 (62.5%) seronegative. Considering borderline anti-CMV IgM levels as
seropositive, 37.5% were seropositive for anti-CMV IgM. Among the 36 seropositive cases,
a CMV infection was confirmed in 19 (52.7%) using PCR. Age (P � .40), educational
status (P � .77), history of pretransplantation dialysis (P � .52), prior blood transfusion
(P � .52), and immunosuppressive regimen were not significantly different among positive
versus negative CMV PCR recipients.
Conclusions. The seroprevalence of CMV infection was high among renal transplant
recipients of Urmia, Iran, as confirmed by PCR study.