title: Prospective monitoring of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, BK virus, and JC virus infections on belatacept therapy after a kidney transplant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few data regarding viral replication in patients receiving belatacept are available. The aim of this single-center study was to compare the incidence of viral infections (cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, BK virus, and JC virus), in 62 de novo kidney transplant patients enrolled in the BENEFIT studies, receiving either belatacept (n=42) or cyclosporine (n=20).
  
  
  METHODS
  By means of polymerase chain reaction, belatacept-treated patients were tested for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, BK virus, and JC virus infections monthly for 36 months, monthly for the first 6 months, and then quarterly for 36 months in cyclosporine-treated patients. Additional samples were obtained when a viral infection was suspected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of positive cytomegalovirus, BK virus, or JC virus viremias over the number of polymerase chain reactions performed through all 3 years was similar in both groups. Conversely, over the 3-year study, the number of positive Epstein-Barr virus viremias over the number of Epstein-Barr virus polymerase chain reactions performed was significantly higher in the belatacept group (76% vs 50%; P = .047). The number of Epstein-Barr virus primary infection was similar in both groups, while the number of Epstein-Barr virus reactivation was higher in the belatacept group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epstein-Barr virus replication occurs more often in patients receiving belatacept, than it does in those receiving cyclosporine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Organ Transplantation, CHU Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bassil
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rostaing
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mengelle
authors.forename: Siba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kallab
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Joelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guitard
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cardeau-Desangles
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weclawiak
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Izopet
authors.forename: Nassim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kamar
mesh_terms: D000069594:Abatacept; D000328:Adult; D001739:BK Virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015994:Incidence; D007577:JC Virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018796:Immunoconjugates; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069594:Abatacept; D016572:Cyclosporine