Oral ulcers during the course of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is frequent in kidney transplant recipients. Although involvement of the gastrointestinal tract with CMV has been described, intra-oral localization is rare. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of renal transplant recipients with oral lesions due to CMV.


METHODS
We analyzed the records of 453 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between February 1989 and March 2007. Incident cases and characteristics of CMV oral lesions were ascertained retrospectively in the outpatient records.


RESULTS
The cumulative incidence of 6 cases with oral ulcerations was 1.32%. The median follow-up (n = 453) was 61.84 +/- 50.68 months. The interval for the incidence of CMV oral ulcers after renal transplantation was 12.83 +/- 23.51 months. The affected oral locations included the buccal mucosa, hard palate, soft palate, tongue, and floor of the mouth. CMV cases showed no significant difference with regard to gender distribution, age at renal transplantation, renal transplant indication, type of immunosuppressive treatment, and donor/recipient CMV serological status before transplantation. The number of acute rejection episodes was significantly greater and time since transplantation was significantly shorter in CMV cases.


CONCLUSIONS
CMV infection, which is common in renal transplant recipients, only rarely affects the mouth. Herein we have reported 6 patients who suffered oral ulcers due to CMV infection. An early diagnosis of these lesions is important to a successful outcome for these patients.
López-Pintor
R M
RM
Department of Oral Medicine and Surgery, School of Dentistry, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain.
Hernández
G
G
de Arriba
L
L
Morales
J M
JM
Jiménez
C
C
de Andrés
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents