OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D may modulate immune function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D level at kidney transplant with outcomes after transplant, including opportunistic viral infections (cytomegalovirus infection and BK viremia), acute allograft rejection, and delayed graft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in kidney transplant recipients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels drawn within 30 days before or after of transplant from January 2004 to May 2009 at Henry Ford Hospital and who were followed for 1 year after transplant. RESULTS: There were 89 patients included in the study (mean age, 51 ± 14 y; male, 66%; African American, 49%; living-donor transplant, 26%). There was a significantly lower frequency of opportunistic viral infections in the vitamin D sufficient group (3 patients, 12%) than vitamin D insufficient group (24 patients, 38%; P ≤ .01). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex and vitamin D insufficiency were independently associated with increased incidence of opportunistic viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: In kidney transplant recipients, male sex and vitamin D insufficiency are independently associated with increased incidence of opportunistic viral infection. The risk of developing opportunistic viral infections after kidney transplant may be modified by ensuring adequate 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels before transplant.
OBJECTIVES:Vitamin D may modulate immune function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D level at kidney transplant with outcomes after transplant, including opportunistic viral infections (cytomegalovirus infection and BK viremia), acute allograft rejection, and delayed graft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in kidney transplant recipients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels drawn within 30 days before or after of transplant from January 2004 to May 2009 at Henry Ford Hospital and who were followed for 1 year after transplant. RESULTS: There were 89 patients included in the study (mean age, 51 ± 14 y; male, 66%; African American, 49%; living-donor transplant, 26%). There was a significantly lower frequency of opportunistic viral infections in the vitamin D sufficient group (3 patients, 12%) than vitamin D insufficient group (24 patients, 38%; P ≤ .01). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex and vitamin Dinsufficiency were independently associated with increased incidence of opportunistic viral infection. CONCLUSIONS: In kidney transplant recipients, male sex and vitamin Dinsufficiency are independently associated with increased incidence of opportunistic viral infection. The risk of developing opportunistic viral infections after kidney transplant may be modified by ensuring adequate 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels before transplant.