The prevalence of active CMV infection in renal transplant recipients using PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assay

Background and Objectives: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most important pathogens which its presence has been studied in transplant recipients. The virus could cause significant illness and mortality. The prevalence of CMV infection in transplant recipients has been reported to vary from one country to another country. Indirect immunofluorescence method indicates viral replication and active infection, and PCR method, illustrates the presence of virus. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of active CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients with PCR and indirect immunofluorescence methods and also its incidence according to season, sex and age variables. Methods: Samples of volunteer patients, sent from all kidney transplant centers throughout the country, from 2006 to 2007, to Gholhak laboratory ,were studied. The study performed by PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assay (pp65 antigenemia). Results were analyzed by Chi-square test and logistic Regression. Results:Totally923 samples were analyzed. CMV infection, using Antigenemia pp65 and PCR method, was found in 71(7.7 %) and 323 (35%)of thecases . There was no significant association between the positive rate of CMV presence, and age and sex (P > 0.05). There was a significant relation between presence of CMV and season of doing the test (p = 0.01). The most positive results in both methods, was in the spring. Conclusion: The results of the PCR method is more than the results using the pp65 Antigenemia method. None of the methods show any relations with age and sex. Infection has a significant increase in spring.