Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Transplant Recipients

What is CMV?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that affects many adults. It can be dangerous for people who have had organ transplants because their immune systems are weaker. After getting infected by CMV, it tends to stay inside the body and reactivate later, leading to symptoms like fever, tiredness, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems.

How Common is CMV?

CMV is more common in people who have received bone marrow, lung, heart-lung, pancreas, or kidney transplants, especially if there’s a mismatch in blood types between the donor and recipient. Certain medications that suppress the immune system can also raise the risk.

How Does CMV Affect Transplant Patients?

CMV can lead to serious health issues for transplant recipients, including complications that can affect the success of the transplant, increased hospital costs, and a greater chance of getting other infections.

How To Manage CMV infection?

1. Prevention and Monitoring: Early detection is crucial, so patients often receive antiviral medications to prevent infection. Regular check-ups are essential for monitoring CMV levels.
2. Treatment When Needed: If CMV is detected, treatment is important. Signs of infection or organ damage indicate the need for treatment, which may start with antiviral drugs like ganciclovir.
3. Signs of Resistance: If CMV levels stay high despite treatment, there may be resistance to the antiviral drugs.
4. Alternative Treatments: If ganciclovir doesn’t work, another drug called foscarnet can be used.

The above points highlight the importance of monitoring and managing CMV to ensure the health and safety of transplant recipients.