HLA MISMATCHING AND CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION AS RISK-FACTORS FOR TRANSPLANT FAILURE IN CYCLOSPORINE-TREATED RENAL-ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS

In a study of the effects on renal al log raft survival of HLA mismatc hing, mismatching for cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody status, and post- transplant CMV infection, 148 cyclosporin-treated renal transplant rec ipients were given kidneys optimally matched for HLA-A, -B, and -DR an tigens but not matched for CMV antibody status. Mismatching for HLA-B and -DR antigens was associated with a greater number of rejection epi sodes and a lower graft survival, but mismatching for CMV antibody sta tus and posttransplant primary or recurrent CMV infection exerted no e ffect on graft survival. The role of matching of renal transplant reci pients and donors for CMV antibody status in preference to HLA matchin g (proposed as a means of reducing the mortality associated with prima ry CWV infection) is discussed. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.