Prevention strategies for cytomegalovirus disease and long‐term outcomes in the high‐risk transplant patient (D+/R−): experience from the RESITRA‐REIPI cohort

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-negative recipients of a graft from a CMV-positive donor (D+/R−) are at high risk of CMV disease. Current preventive strategies include universal prophylaxis (UP) and preemptive therapy (PT). However, the best strategy to prevent CMV disease and achieve better long-term outcomes remains a matter of debate. Methods We analyzed the incidence of CMV disease and long-term outcomes including graft dysfunction and patient mortality at 5 years after transplantation with both preventive strategies. High-risk (D+/R−) kidney and liver transplant recipients from the RESITRA cohort were included. Results Of 2410 kidney or liver transplant patients, 195 (8.3%) were D+/R−. The final cohort included 58 liver and 102 kidney recipients. UP was given in 92 patients and 68 received PT; 10.9% and 36.8% developed CMV disease, respectively (P < 0.01). The independent risk factors for CMV disease were PT strategy (hazard ratio [HR], 3.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–6.9), kidney transplantation (HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.4–9.9), and cyclosporine immunosuppression (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2–4.7). PT strategy was also a risk factor for CMV disease in both liver transplantation (HR, 11.0; 95% CI, 1.2–98.7) and kidney transplantation (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3–6.0), independently. The development of CMV replication during the first 2 years after transplantation was a risk factor for graft dysfunction at 5 years after transplantation (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3–9.0). Nevertheless, no significant differences were seen in either graft dysfunction or mortality between the 2 strategies. Conclusions The study supports the benefit of the UP strategy to prevent CMV disease in D+/R− liver or kidney transplant patients. The development of CMV replication during the first 2 years after transplantation was associated with graft dysfunction at 5 years after transplantation.