ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most common infectious problems following kidney transplantation. In this study we sought to investigate CMV infection in the setting of renal transplant recipients in Urmia, Iran, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. METHODS: Ninety-six randomly selected renal transplant recipient were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Blood sampling via venipuncture, yielded sera investigated for anti-CMV IgM. Seropositive as well as 14 randomly selected seronegative cases were investigated with PCR assays. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (34.3%) were seropositive for anti-CMV IgM; 3 (3.1%) borderline, and 60 (62.5%) seronegative. Considering borderline anti-CMV IgM levels as seropositive, 37.5% were seropositive for anti-CMV IgM. Among the 36 seropositive cases, a CMV infection was confirmed in 19 (52.7%) using PCR. Age (P = .40), educational status (P = .77), history of pretransplantation dialysis (P = .52), prior blood transfusion (P = .52), and immunosuppressive regimen were not significantly different among positive versus negative CMV PCR recipients. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of CMV infection was high among renal transplant recipients of Urmia, Iran, as confirmed by PCR study.
Subject(s)
Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications , Cytomegalovirus Infections/diagnosis , Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery , Kidney Transplantation/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Cytomegalovirus , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Iran , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP), a small gram-negative spiral bacillus living in the mucus layer of the human stomach, mediates some gastrointestinal disorders. Considering the immunocompromised nature of transplant recipients due to immunosuppression, they are generally prone to viral and bacterial infectious diseases. In this study we sought to investigate the seroprevalence of HP infection among Iranian kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: We selected randomly 91 kidney transplant patients who were examined for anti- HP Immunoglobulin G (IgG) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (Lake Success, NY, USA). RESULTS: Forty-three subjects (47.3%) were seropositive for anti-HEV IgG. There was no difference by age (P=.49), sex (P=.22), blood transfusion history (P=.19), or hemodialysis history (P=.46) between seropositive and seronegative groups, but there was a significant difference regarding the educational status of the subjects (P=.03), The difference was not confirmed by considering diploma as the cut point to categorize subjects (P>.05). Comparing age groups, Pearson chi-square analysis revealed no significant correlation between HP seropositivity and increasing age (P=.963), even when controlled for sex, educational status, history of blood transfusion, or hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: The frequency of transplant recipients with anti-HP IgG antibodies in our institution (47.3%) was not higher than that in the general population (almost 60% in Urmia). This rate was lower than reports from developing countries possibly due to better health and sanitation.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Helicobacter Infections/epidemiology , Helicobacter pylori/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Adult , Chi-Square Distribution , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Helicobacter Infections/immunology , Helicobacter Infections/microbiology , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in renal transplant recipients may cause significant morbidity and mortality. To evaluate factors associated with activation of EBV replication we followed prospectively a group of 65 recipients of cadaveric kidney for 12 months. METHODS: Sera were collected periodically from these patients and analyzed for the presence of specific anti-EBV antibodies. Control group consisted of renal (n=35) and healthy blood donors (n=35). Enzyme-linked immunoassays based on recombinant EBV proteins were used to detect the following antibody specificities: early antigen (EA) IgA, IgM, and IgG, nuclear antigen (EBNA) IgG. RESULTS: During first year after transplantation, primary infection developed in 4 (6.15%) recipients and reactivation occurred in 18 (27.7%) recipients. Analysis did not show the association of reactivation with type of basic immunosuppressive therapy, prophylactic or therapeutic use of anti-lymphocyte antibodies, as well as acute rejection episodes. There was a borderline association (p=0.068) between the incidence of CMV infection and EBV reactivation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest casual relationship between CMV infection and EBV reactivation.
