# 89. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Serostatus Reassessment for Accurate CMV Risk Stratification in CMV Seronegative Kidney Transplant Candidates

## TL;DR

This study examines how often kidney transplant candidates who were initially CMV seronegative had their CMV status reassessed close to the transplant date, finding high adherence and low seroconversion rates.

## Contribution

The study provides real-world data on adherence to CMV serostatus reassessment and quantifies seroconversion rates in kidney transplant candidates.

## Key findings

- 91.3% of eligible CMV seronegative patients had serostatus reassessed within 6 months of transplant.
- Seroconversion occurred in 1.6% of patients, with an incidence of 0.43 per 100 person-years.
- Adherence was higher for living donor transplants compared to deceased donor transplants.

## Abstract

Accurate recipient CMV serostatus at time of transplant is critical to guide post-transplant CMV preventive strategies. However, seroconversion can occur between the several-year wait time between listing (time of initial CMV serostatus testing) and transplant, potentially leading to misclassification unless serology is reassessed more proximate to transplant. The optimal timing for CMV serostatus reassessment is unknown. This quality improvement/assurance study assessed adherence to a programmatic recommendation to reassess CMV serostatus within 6 months of transplant.Figure 1.Summary of participants and resultsTable 1.Characteristics of the Study PopulationTable 1 summarizes the various characteristics tracked in the study population, including transplant type, age, sex, race, and ethnicity.

Summary of participants and results

Characteristics of the Study Population

Table 1 summarizes the various characteristics tracked in the study population, including transplant type, age, sex, race, and ethnicity.

Adherence to CMV serology reassessment within 6 months of transplant among CMV seronegative patients at listing was retrospectively assessed at a single large US academic transplant center in adult recipients of a first transplant between 12/17/2022-12/17/2024. Baseline and transplant factors were compared between adherent and non-adherent groups and significance between proportions was assessed by Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, with p-values < 0.05 considered significant. The incidence of seroconversion between the time of listing and transplant was assessed among those who had CMV serology reassessed.

Among 823 adult kidney transplant recipients, 587 (71.3%) met eligibility criteria and 127 (21.6%) were CMV seronegative. The median (interquartile range) time to transplant was 3.75 [1.45 – 6.08] years and was longer for deceased (5.23 [2.89 – 7.44] years) compared to living donor transplants (1.51 [0.76 – 2.74] years). Overall adherence was 91.3% (116/127) and was significantly higher among living (65/65 [100%]) vs deceased donor transplants (51/62 [82.3%]), p < 0.01). No demographic or transplant-related variables were significantly associated with adherence (p >0.05 for all). Seroconversion occurred in 2 of 124 patients (1.6%) at 8.4 and 1.7 years (incidence of 0.43 per 100 person-years of follow-up).

Adherence to a programmatic recommendation for CMV serostatus assessment within 6 months of transplant was >80% overall and significantly higher among living vs deceased donor transplant recipients. The low incidence of CMV seroconversion in this population allows for flexibility in the implementation of CMV serostatus reassessment based on feasibility.

All Authors: No reported disclosures