Rubin identified a number of "indirect effects" associated with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in an organ transplant recipient. A patient with an organ transplant should be monitored for these complications.
Indirect effects:
(1) acute rejection
(2) accelerated atherosclerosis, especially in cardiac transplants
(3) invasive fungal infection
(4) bacterial superinfection
The diagnosis of an indirect effect requires documentation of the CMV infection prior to onset of the complication.
Prophylaxis with gancyclovir or valacyclovir may prevent these complications.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
