Common viral infections in kidney transplant recipients.
- Author:
Jakapat VANICHANAN
1
;
Suwasin UDOMKARNJANANUN
;
Yingyos AVIHINGSANON
;
Kamonwan JUTIVORAKOOL
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Asia; Hepatitis; Immunosuppression; Kidney transplantation; Virus diseases
- MeSH: Adenoviridae; Allografts; Asia; Asian Continental Ancestry Group; BK Virus; Cytomegalovirus; Diagnosis; DNA Viruses; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B virus; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Immunization; Immunosuppression; Immunosuppressive Agents; Incidence; Kidney Transplantation; Kidney*; Mortality; Simplexvirus; Transplant Recipients*; Virus Diseases
- From:Kidney Research and Clinical Practice 2018;37(4):323-337
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Infectious complications have been considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation, especially in the Asian population. Therefore, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of such infections are crucial in kidney transplant recipients. Among all infectious complications, viruses are considered to be the most common agents because of their abundance, infectivity, and latency ability. Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus, BK polyomavirus, and adenovirus are well-known etiologic agents of viral infections in kidney transplant patients worldwide because of their wide range of distribution. As DNA viruses, they are able to reactivate after affected patients receive immunosuppressive agents. These DNA viruses can cause systemic diseases or allograft dysfunction, especially in the first six months after transplantation. Pretransplant evaluation and immunization as well as appropriate prophylaxis and preemptive approaches after transplant have been established in the guidelines and are used effectively to reduce the incidence of these viral infections. This review will describe the etiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infections that commonly affect kidney transplant recipients.
