DECREASED INCIDENCE OF VIRAL-INFECTIONS IN LIVER-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS - POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF FK506

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major infectious complication of organ tran splantation and its incidence is influenced by the type and intensity of immunosuppressive therapy employed. Using a new immunosuppressive a gent FK506, CMV infection was observed in 30% and CMV disease in 15% o f the 26 liver transplant recipients. Delayed onset of CMV disease was noted; the mean time to the occurrence of CMV disease being 137 days posttransplantation. No graft loss or mortality could be attributed to CMV infection. Mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections we re encountered in 19% of the patients, while no disease could be attri buted to varicella tester virus or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The contr ibution of FK506 to a decrease in viral morbidity and associated morta lity bears further investigation.