Azathioprine hepatitis in kidney transplant recipients. A predisposing role of chronic viral hepatitis.

Influence of viral liver diseases on the occurrence of azathioprine hepatitis was evaluated in 21 kidney transplant recipients. Diagnosis of azathioprine hepatitis was always based on jaundice, which disappeared after azathioprine withdrawal in 18 patients and after azathioprine dose reduction in 3 patients. Histopathological diagnosis of azathioprine toxicity was ascertained in 14 patients.

Acyclovir in preventing cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplant recipients: a case-controlled study.

High dose oral acyclovir has been reported to be effective in preventing both cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in renal transplant recipients. We conducted a case-controlled study in which 42 cadaveric kidney transplant recipients were prophylactically treated with high dose oral acyclovir for 3 months and compared to historical controls matched for donor/recipient CMV serological status, age, sex, and immunosuppressive therapy. Before transplantation, study group patients received acyclovir intravenously (500 mg/m2 over 1 hour) which was subsequently given orally (basal dose--800 mg four times daily) from day 2 post-transplantation according to renal function.