IMPACT OF THE USE OF TACROLIMUS VERSUS CYCLOSPORINE ON CYTOMEGALOVIRUS COLITIS AND HEPATITIS IN POST RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection after kidney transplantation (KT). Majorrisk factors for CMV infection include the overall immunosuppression intensity and the CMVserostatus. The study compared the use of Tacrolimus versus Cyclosporine on the incidence ofcytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis and hepatitis in post renal transplant patients. This was a retrospectivecohort study; in which 90 adult post renal transplant Egyptian patients were divided into2 groups: G1: 45 patients on Tacrolimus, mycophenolate, steroids. G2:45 patients on Cyclosporine,mycophenolate, steroids.The results showed insignificant difference between both groups as to incidence of CMV colitisand hepatitis in positive CMV/PCR patients post renal transplantation with P value (0.659)(1.000). However, the incidence of CMV infection significantly increased with the increase oftrough level of immunosuppressive agent whether tacrolimus or cyclosporin.