Objective: To identify the risk factors for cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia after renal transplantation and investigate the early precaution measures.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a group of 28 patients undergoing renal transplantation who were readmitted because of CMV pneumonia between Jan, 2005 and Dec, 2007. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to identity the significant risk factors.
Results: Seven factors, namely recipient age, acute graft rejection, pre-transplantation dialysis, delayed graft function recovery, recipient peak PRA level, donor CMV positivity and the use of MMF were found to significantly correlate to post-transplant CMV pneumonia. Multivariate logistic regression further confirmed that donor CMV IgG positivity, acute graft rejection and pre-transplantation dialysis for over 6 months were independent factors to predict the occurrence of CMV pneumonia.
Conclusions: Acute graft rejection control, appropriate donor selection and shortened dialysis before the transplantation can be crucial factors to reduce the incidence of CMV pneumonia after renal transplantation.