Herpesviruses in patients after renal transplantation

Aim. To estimate graft function after kidney transplantation during active herpesviruses or superinfection

Materials and methods. The study included 32 patients (men – 21, women – 11) with end-stage chronic kidney disease. The median age was 43 years. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) DNAs were screened by RT-PCR in the donor's transplant biopsy, and recipients’ peripheral blood and urine after kidney transplantation (KT) on 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 months. Antiviral antibodies (IgM and IgG) were also screened by Enzyme-linked immunoassay analysis (ELISA) along with PCR. The 500 or less copies of viral DNA per 10⁵ nuclear cells or 1 ml of urine was considered as low, more than 1000 copies – high.

Results. On the first month after KT CMV DNA was detected in 50% of pts., EBV DNA – in 40% and HHV-6 DNA – in 33%. During first year after KT two or three viruses simultaneously were found in 12 recipients: CMV, EBV, and HHV-6 were detected in 5 recipients; CMV and EBV – in 4 patients; CMV and HHV-6 – in 2 pts; EBV and HHV-6 – in 1 pt. Graft dysfunction was observed in 9 patients with a high concentration of viral DNA of one, two or three viruses simultaneously. An upraise of the concentration of virus DNA (CMV, EBV and HHV – 6) was detected primarily in the urine, while in the blood its concentration was less than 500 cop or undetectable. Renal dysfunction was not observed on the background of low concentrations of viral DNA in urine and blood. However, with an increase of DNA concentration, an impaired graft function in 8 of 12 patients appeared. Low viral DNA level proved to be a background for another virus activation or bacterial/fungal superinfection.

Conclusion. Graft dysfunction occurs at high viral DNA levels detection during mono-or superinfection. Low viral load can serve as a background for another virus activation and/or bacterial/fungal superinfection.