Viral surveillance and subclinical viral infection in pediatric kidney transplantation

Jodi M. Smith, Vikas R. Dharnidharka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

The more potent immunosuppressive therapy that has successfully reduced the incidence of acute rejection and improved graft outcomes has also resulted in a higher incidence of viral complications. Sensitive molecular methods now allow for the detection of subclinical viral infection, which is increasingly recognized due to the adoption of routine post-transplant viral surveillance protocols. The goal of viral surveillance is the detection of subclinical viral infection that triggers an intervention; one that either prevents progression to viral disease or leads to early diagnosis of viral disease, which is associated with improved outcomes. Knowledge of the epidemiology and natural history of subclinical viral infection and viral disease, as well as patient-specific risk factors, is required to establish the optimal surveillance schedule which achieves the goal of early diagnosis. Evidence that detection of subclinical viral infection can impact viral disease is variable depending on the virus. This review will summarize the current data on the role of viral surveillance for BK virus (BKV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in the pediatric kidney transplant population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)741-748
Number of pages8
JournalPediatric Nephrology
Volume30
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2015

Keywords

  • Kidney transplant
  • Pediatric
  • Subclinical infection
  • Viral surveillance

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