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Review
. 2020 Mar 5;221(Suppl 1):S23-S31.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz454.

Cytomegalovirus Infection in Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: State of the Evidence

Ghady Haidar  1   2 , Michael Boeckh  3   4 , Nina Singh  1
Affiliations
Review

Cytomegalovirus Infection in Solid Organ and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: State of the Evidence

Ghady Haidar et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

This review focuses on recent advances in the field of cytomegalovirus (CMV). The 2 main strategies for CMV prevention are prophylaxis and preemptive therapy. Prophylaxis effectively prevents CMV infection after solid organ transplantation (SOT) but is associated with high rates of neutropenia and delayed-onset postprophylaxis disease. In contrast, preemptive therapy has the advantage of leading to lower rates of CMV disease and robust humoral and T-cell responses. It is widely used in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients but is infrequently utilized after SOT due to logistical considerations, though these may be overcome by novel methods to monitor CMV viremia using self-testing platforms. We review recent developments in CMV immune monitoring, vaccination, and monoclonal antibodies, all of which have the potential to become part of integrated strategies that rely on viral load monitoring and immune responses. We discuss novel therapeutic options for drug-resistant or refractory CMV infection, including maribavir, letermovir, and adoptive T-cell transfer. We also explore the role of donor factors in transmitting CMV after SOT. Finally, we propose a framework with which to approach CMV prevention in the foreseeable future.

Keywords: cytomegalovirus; preemptive therapy; prophylaxis; resistant CMV; transplant.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Potential future paradigm for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prevention after solid organ transplantation. By targeting both donor and recipient (before and after transplantation), this approach would combine knowledge gained from studies of prophylaxis, preemptive therapy, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and CMV-specific immunity to optimize prevention of CMV. Abbreviations: CMV, cytomegalovirus; PCR, polymerase chain reaction.
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