Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia (EBVd) may be a surrogate marker of the net state of immunosuppression after solid organ transplantation (SOT).Methods: A sample of 81 SOT recipients (53 renal, 21 liver, and 7 cardiac) from our institution (2003–2004) surviving more than 180 days was analyzed. EBVd was monitored in whole blood within the first 6 months using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, duration and magnitude of EBVd were assessed as potential surrogate markers for the occurrence of late adverse events (>6 months): graft dysfunction, graft loss, death, and immunosuppression-related adverse events (IRAE), defined by the occurrence of solid organ tumor and opportunistic and severe infections.
Results: A median of 10 blood samples per patient was screened. A total of 68 (84%) patients had detectable EBVd. Persistent EBVd (>30 days) was found in 40 (49.4%) and high EBVd (>1500 copies/mL) in 35 (43.3%). Multivariate analyses showed that persistent EVBd and high EBVd levels were independently related to the development of IRAE (hazard ratio, 2.95 and 4.32, respectively), whereas no significant associations were observed with late graft dysfunction or graft loss.
Conclusions: Persistent and high levels of EBVd within the first 6 months after SOT are surrogate markers of increased risk of IRAE (read more) Print this post
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