An Evaluation of the Benefit of Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis with Acyclovir on Post-Transplant Cytomegalovirus Infection Prevention in a Population of Renal Transplant Recipients in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important infection in renal transplant recipients and may significantly impact recipients’ long-term outcome and graft survival. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of prophylaxis with acyclovir on post-transplant CMV infection prevention in a population of renal transplant recipients in Lagos, Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional design involving renal transplant recipients attending post-transplant follow-up clinics in Lagos, Nigeria between October 2004 and July 2005. Data on the use of CMV prophylaxis were obtained from the hospital case records of the study subjects. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was employed to detect CMV IgM antibodies for the diagnosis of post-transplant CMV infection and Microsoft Excel and EPI-Info 2002 statistical software were used for data entry and analysis. Results: Forty (40) renal transplant recipients were studied, 32 recipients were males and 8 were females with M:F ratio of 4:1. The mean age of the recipients was 39 ± 11.6 years old. The recipients’ post-transplant duration ranged from 2 to 80 months (Mean 17.6 ± 18.6 months). Fifteen (37.5%) of the transplant recipients received acyclovir prophylaxis for six months, one recipient (2.5%) received ganciclovir prophylaxis for three weeks while 24 recipients (60%) received no prophylactic therapy. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of seropositive CMV-IgM between transplant recipients who used CMV prophylaxis and those who did not (Fisher exact p = 0.45). Conclusion: Prophylaxis with acyclovir for six months showed no significant benefit on post-transplant CMV infection prevention in renal transplant recipients.