Benefits of cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in solid organ transplantation.

The benefits of cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in preventing the direct effects of CMV infection and disease are well established; however, the impact of exposure to antiviral agents on preventing the indirect effects of CMV infection are poorly defined. This article reviews the results of current studies demonstrating the benefits of CMV prophylaxis in reducing the risks of indirect effects of CMV infection: acute and chronic allograft rejection, graft failure, patient mortality, cardiac complications and atherosclerosis, and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, in solid organ transplant recipients.