Can preemptive cytomegalovirus monitoring be as effective as universal prophylaxis when implemented as the standard of care in patients at moderate risk?

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and cost in solid organ transplant recipients. This study was conducted to measure both the clinical efficacy and the pharmacoeconomic impact of implementing, as standard of care, an abbreviated preemptive monitoring strategy compared with universal prophylaxis in a large teaching hospital.

Methods: This prospective observational study included only recipients at moderate risk for CMV infection, specifically recipients who were CMV seropositive before transplant.