Risk Factors for Erythrocytosis in Renal Transplantation: Is Ganciclovir Therapy One of Them?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE) and its relationship with cytomegalovirus (CMV). MATERIAL/METHODS: The study consisted of patients who received a kidney allograft and followed-up in our nephrology transplantation clinic from 2000 to 2014. Patient age, sex, length of dialysis, etiology of end-stage kidney disease, date of transplantation, medications, types of donors, the development of PTE were recorded. RESULTS: Among 185 adult kidney recipients, 43 (23.2%) had PTE. The average time between transplantation and diagnosis was 36 months. PTE was more common in male patients (P<0.05) and patients with living donors and those who had been treated with ganciclovir after transplantation (P<0.05). There were 79 patients treated for CMV – 54 in the non-PTE group and 24 in the PTE group. There was no significant difference in patient age, etiology of end-stage kidney disease, and immunosuppressive therapy when comparing the PTE group and non-PTE group. Univariate analysis showed ganciclovir therapy was significantly associated with PTE. However, this was not seen in the multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ganciclovir can precipitate development of PTE. Prospective studies are needed to assess the association of between PTE and CMV infection, valganciclovir, and ganciclovir.