title: Detection of CMV-DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes of liver transplant patients after ganciclovir treatment.
abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common after transplantation, but usually successfully treated with antivirals. In this study, the detection of CMV-DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes was monitored and compared with CMVpp65-antigenemia in liver transplant patients receiving ganciclovir treatment. Twenty adult liver transplant recipients were frequently monitored for CMV up to 6 months after transplantation. CMV infections were diagnosed by pp65-antigenemia and the same specimens were used for CMV-DNA in situ hybridization. Altogether 202 blood specimens were analyzed. During the first 6 months, 14/20 patients developed CMV antigenemia and 11 were treated with ganciclovir. In all patients, CMV-DNA was detected before antigenemia (mean 15 days earlier). All patients responded to ganciclovir and pp65-antigenemia disappeared. However, 8/11 demonstrated persistence of CMV-DNA for up to 6 months. Recurrences appeared in 6/11 patients. In conclusion, detection of CMV-DNA preceded pp65-antigenemia. Persistence of CMV-DNA demonstrates that the virus is not eliminated by ganciclovir and recurrences can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loginov
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Höckerstedt
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000821:virology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir