Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection after kidney transplantation (KT). Major
risk factors for CMV infection include the overall immunosuppression intensity and the CMV
serostatus. The study compared the use of Tacrolimus versus Cyclosporine on the incidence of
cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis and hepatitis in post renal transplant patients. This was a retrospective
cohort study; in which 90 adult post renal transplant Egyptian patients were divided into
2 groups: G1: 45 patients on Tacrolimus, mycophenolate, steroids. G2:45 patients on Cyclosporine,
mycophenolate, steroids.
The results showed insignificant difference between both groups as to incidence of CMV colitis
and hepatitis in positive CMV/PCR patients post renal transplantation with P value (0.659)
(1.000). However, the incidence of CMV infection significantly increased with the increase of
trough level of immunosuppressive agent whether tacrolimus or cyclosporin.