C. Gerstenkorn et al., Detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens in kidney biopsies and transplant nephrectomies as a marker for renal graft dysfunction, CLIN CH L M, 38(11), 2000, pp. 1201-1203
Chronic rejection accounts for the greatest loss of renal allografts. HLA m
ismatching has been minimised by organ allocation and new immunosuppressive
drugs have been employed, but the average cadaveric graft survival still d
oes not exceed 12 years. Though the aetiology is multifactorial, one contri
butory factor for this condition is cytomegalovirus (CMV). Detection of CMV
in kidney biopsies and sera can diagnose and monitor this inflammatory eve
nt and define its role in chronic nephropathy. Twenty five biopsies taken a
t the time of transplantation. 10 biopsies for graft dysfunction and tissue
blocks from 20 explanted kidney grafts were collected and investigated for
CMV antigens by immunohistochemistry. Tissue samples were snap frozen and
cryostat sections were incubated with monoclonal antibodies for CMV antigen
s followed by immunoperoxidase staining. In 12 out of 20 transplant nephrec
tomies CMV antigens were found. Only two of these patients had clinical CMV
disease. Time 0 biopsies from CMV seronegative donors (n = 11) and CMV ser
opositive donors (n = 14) were negative for CMV antigens. The prevalence of
CMV antigens in grafts lost due to chronic rejection was 60%. These antige
ns were not found within the time 0 biopsies, but were detected in 30% of b
iopsies taken at the time of clinical graft dysfunction. CMV appears to con
tribute to chronic rejection even without clinical disease.