Indirect effects of cytomegalovirus infection

• Published in: Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica Vol. 29 Suppl 6; p. 6
• Main Authors: Castón Osorio, Juan José, Zurbano Goñi, Felipe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.12.2011
• Subjects: Cytomegalovirus Infections - complications; Humans; Organ Transplantation; Postoperative Complications - etiology
• ISSN: 1578-1852
• DOI: 10.1016/S0213-005X(11)70050-7

Despite improvements in prevention strategies, cytomegalovirus (CMV) continues to be the main cause of infection in solid organ transplant recipients. In these patients, in addition to direct effects, such as viral syndrome or invasive organ disease, CMV can cause indirect effects resulting from the interaction of the virus with the host's immune system. This interaction may increase immunosuppression, with a consequent rise in opportunistic infections and the risk of malignancies (Epstein-Barr virus-associated posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease) and graft dysfunction. Currently, a direct causal relation between CMV and most of the indirect effects described cannot be established. However, numerous experimental and clinical studies have found an association between the development of these effects and CMV. Moreover, some of these effects, such as the development of opportunistic infections, have been reduced by CMV prophylaxis.