Two-year post-transplantation cytomegalovirus DNAemia in asymptomatic kidney transplant recipients: incidence, risk factors, and outcome.

Background The incidence and the impact of asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia occurring after the first year post transplantation is unknown. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we analyzed the incidence, risk factors, and impact of 2-year post-transplantation asymptomatic CMV DNAemia (2YCD) on graft function. We included 892 consecutive asymptomatic kidney transplant recipients transplanted for at least 2 years and all were monitored using whole blood CMV quantitative nucleic acid amplification testing (CMV-QNAT). Results Twenty-eight patients displayed 2YCD (3.1%). Using multivariate analysis in 578 patients, we found that female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 2.57, P = 0.02), a past history of CMV drug-resistance mutation (OR = 8.73, P = 0.005), and corticosteroid use (OR = 2.37, P = 0.03) were independently associated with an increased risk of 2YCD. 2YCD was associated with an increased incidence of subsequent CMV disease over the year following its diagnosis (7% vs. 0.6%, P = 0.02). Patients with 2YCD also exhibited a declining estimated glomerular filtration rate more frequently (77%) than patients with a negative CMV-QNAT (56%, P = 0.02). Conclusion 2YCD appears to be a rare entity, which appears to be associated with chronic graft dysfunction.