Clinical Utility of Viral Load in the Management of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Patients in Kuwait

Abstract Background Infection with human cytomegalovirus (CMV) in solid organ transplant patients remains an unresolved challenge, despite improvements in immunosuppressive therapy, post-transplantation care, viral prevention, and therapy. Methods We conducted quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of CMV on plasma samples of 1,168 patients in Kuwait who received solid organ transplants from 2012 to 2014 to detect and monitor CMV DNA viral load. Results Of the 1,168 patients, 180 (15.4%) were positive for CMV DNA. Among the CMV DNA–positive patients, 119 (66.1%) remained without symptoms and 61 (33.9%) developed CMV-related symptoms. During the follow-up period, peak viral loads were significantly ( P