Does mycophenolate mofetil increase the risk of cytomegalovirus infection in solid organ transplant recipients?: A mini-review

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is currently used for prophylaxis of acute rejection in solid organ transplantation. There have been diverging reports regarding an association between MMF and the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. We reviewed the main published studies in an attempt to clarify the association between the use of MMF and the risk, frequency and severity of CMV infections. In a search of the Medline database with the terms "mycophenolate" and "cytomegalovir*", 42 articles were found to be relevant; among these, 29 articles were thoroughly analyzed. The first studies on MMF in renal transplantation already showed a tendency towards an association between this drug and the occurrence of CMV disease. Further studies were designed specifically to study this association; with the conclusion that an immunosuppressive regimen containing MMF increases the likelihood of CMV disease. Most studies were performed with kidney transplant recipients. We conclude that the use of MMF apparently increases the incidence of CMV disease in renal transplant patients; however, further studies are needed to confirm this association.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Song,Alice Tung Wan, Abdala,Edson, Bonazzi,Patrícia Rodrigues, Bacchella,Telésforo, Machado,Marcel Cerqueira César
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases 2006
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-86702006000200011
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!