Is Screening for IgG Antibody to Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus Infections Mandatory in Potential Renal Transplant Recipients and Donors in Iran?

Abstract Objective Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and/or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in renal transplant recipients may cause significant morbidity and mortality. To manage these infections, established guidelines suggest that both the recipient and the donor be routinely tested for anti-CMV and anti-EBV antibodies prior to renal transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the value of screening among people living in Iran. Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed the incidences of CMV and EBV infections among 925 and 710 potential renal allograft donors and recipients, respectively, between 2005 and 2008. All cases were first transplantations. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed to determine whether there were antibodies to CMV (IgG) or EBV viral capsid antigen (VCAIgG). Finally, we analyzed the seroprevalence and demographic factors. Results Five hundred sixty-eight (61.40%) potential renal transplant donors and 483 (68.02%) potential renal transplant recipients were men. Donor ages ranged from 18 to 50 years (mean ± SD, 34.7 ± 8.1 years) and recipient ages ranged from 18 to 60 years (mean ± SD, 45.9 ± 7.3 years). Pretransplant CMV (IgG) and EBV (VCAIgG) seroprevalence was 100% among all donor, and recipient ages and sexes. Conclusion Our findings suggested that kidney transplant centers in Iran do not need to perform routine screening for IgG antibodies to CMV and EBV among renal transplant recipients and donors of ages ≥18 years.