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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Impact of cytomegalovirus DNAemia on overall and non-relapse mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

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Background We conducted a retrospective single-center study to investigate the potential impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia on mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients (allo-SCT). Methods A total of 151 consecutive patients who underwent T-cell replete allo-SCT were included in the study. Patients with CMV DNAemia were treated pre-emptively with antivirals upon detection of plasma CMV DNA loads >1500 IU/mL. Results At least one episode of CMV DNAemia occurred in 109 (72.2%), and 67 of these patients (61.5%) required one or more courses of antiviral therapy. The cumulative incidence of 1-year overall and non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 28.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.4%-39.5%) and 23.2% (95% CI 12.81%-35.4%), respectively. The occurrence of either CMV DNAemia or CMV recurrences had no apparent effect on 1-year overall mortality and NRM; nevertheless, a trend towards an increased risk of death was seen in patients with one or more episodes of CMV DNAemia requiring antiviral therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.10; 95% CI, 0.96-4.61; P=0.06 for overall mortality, and HR, 2.36; 95% CI, 0.96-5.76; P=0.06 for NRM) but not in those displaying one or more self-resolving episodes. Conclusion Therefore, the data suggest that withholding pre-emptive antiviral therapy until the plasma CMV DNA load reaches 1500 IU/mL has no apparent detrimental effect on patient survival. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.