Efficacy of short term valganciclovir in a standard-dose for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in living donor kidney transplantation: a single-center report

Immunosuppressive drugs predispose the kidney transplant recipient to reactivation of сytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Prophylaxis given to these patients is very important for the prevention of opportunistic CMV infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short term and standard-dose valganciclovir prophylaxis for CMV infections in living donor kidney transplantation. Methods. This study is retrospective one. Between April 2014 and April 2019 100 patients after living donor kidney transplantation with results CMV PCR-DNA and prophylactic treatment were studied retrospectively at Medipol University Medical Faculty Hospital Organ Transplantation Department, Istanbul, Turkey. Results.The mean age was 38.3±15.6 years. 68 (68%) patients were males and 32 (32%) patients were females. All patients were treated with 900 mg daily and 90 days valganciclovir prophylaxis. Mean follow-up was 29.1±15 months. There were not detected CMV infections during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Short term and standard-dosevalganciclovir prophylaxis appears to be successful prevention CMV infections in living donor kidney transplantation.