Significance of cytomegalovirus infection in the failure of native arteriovenous fistula

Abstract

High cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG levels have been identified as a risk factor for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure. None of the 68 patents in our study were CMV IgM positive, although 96% were CMV IgG positive. CMV antigens were detected in the radial artery or cephalic vein of 46% of patients who received an AVF. The presence of CMV antigens or high serum CMV IgG levels had no prognostic value for AVF failure. © 2011 The Authors. Clinical Microbiology and Infection © 2011 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.