Abstract

 Background and Objectives

  Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a DNA virus, approximately 200nm in diameter, belonging to the herpes virus family. CMV infection in immunocompromised patients including organ transplantation recipients, patients with AIDS patients under immunosuppressive therapy, and in developing fetus may result in either localized or disseminated diseases. Patients are at risk of both primary CMV infection and reactivation of latent infection. CMV can be transmitted through blood transfusion and organ transplantation.

  Materials and Methods

  In this descriptive study, 62 recipients of kidney transplant (26 females, 41.9% and 36 males, 58.1%) ranging from 2-58 years of age (mean 34 ± 15) were analysed to detect CMV antibodies by ELISA technique CMV antigen was also evaluated by Indirect Immunofluorescence Technique.

 Results

 All patients were CMV IgG positive, 10 (16.1 % ) were CMV IgM positive and 7 (11.4 % ) were at borderline. 23 (37.1 % ) of recipients were CMV Ag positive. Statistical analysis showed no relation between CMV Ab and CMV Ag.

 Conclusions

  In spite of the presence of anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies, antigenemia appears in several patients. There is not a strong correlation between antibodies against cytomegalovirus and the detection of CMV antigen in patients with acute infections.

 Key words: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Renal transplantation, ELISA