CADAVER SKIN ALLOGRAFTS AND TRANSMISSION OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS TO BURN PATIENTS

BACKGROUND: The potential role of cadaver skin as a vehicle for CMV tr ansmission to burn patients has never been clearly defined, We sought to determine if a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-positive cadaver allograft tra nsmits CMV infections to CMV-seronegative burn patients. STUDY DESIGN: All patients in this study were CMV seronegative on admission, They r eceived Ch N-seronegative blood products, and cadaver allografts for t emporary wound closure and management without regard to the donor's CM V serum status (positive or negative). RESULTS: Of 493 patients admitt ed from 1989 to 1993, 22 were CMV seronegative on admission and requir ed cadaver allografts for their burn wounds, Five (22.7 percent) of 22 patients seroconverted during hospitalization: one of five had CMV pn eumonia develop, two had CMV viruria develop, and three had persistent fever, abnormal liver enzymes, and diarrhea not ascribable to bacteri al or other viral agents. CONCLUSIONS: Cytomegalovirus infections resu lt from using CMV-seropositive cadaver allografts on seronegative burn patients.