Mycophenolate mofetil increases cytomegalovirus invasive organ disease in renal transplant patients

The impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection post-transplantation is in pa rt influenced by the degree of immunosuppression. While mycophenolate mofet il (MMF) does not increase the overall incidence of CMV infection, we have questioned whether or not it increases its severity. Using a case-control s tudy design in which 29 renal transplant patients developed CMV disease [17 (59%) of which received azathioprine (AZA) and 12 (41%) received MMF], inc reases in the frequency of organ involvement with CMV (58 vs. 18%; p = 0.03 ) and in the number of organs involved with CMV were noted in the MMF versu s the AZA group (2.0 vs. 1.0; p = 0.015). These results indicate that the i ncreased immunosuppressive activity of Mh IF impacts the morbidity of CMV i nfection, thus warranting the use of affective anti-CMV preventive regimens while patients are treated with MMF.