BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT). There is a lack of data on CMV prevalence in Mexican patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CMV infection in CMV seropositive aHSCT recipients in an oncologic reference center in México.

METHODS: Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study, based on secondary database analysis from a reference center. Data were collected from January 2014 to December 2019. Patients ≥18 years old (y/o), who received a transplant during this period were included in the study. Demographics, incidence of CMV disease in recipients. Classification of risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) based on transplant type, prevalence of CMV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), sex, and preemptive therapy (PET) (complete or incomplete). Descriptive analysis was performed using frequencies and proportions.

RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were analyzed. The mean age of the recipients was 34.5 ± 11.3 years, while in donors was 34 ± 13.1 years. In the recipient group, 50% (n=34) were men, and in the donor group, 42.6% (n=29) were men. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was the most common diagnosis in 39.7% (n=27) of recipients,then acute myeloid leukemia in 32.4% (n=22). The majority (83.8%, n=57) underwent bone marrow allogenic transplant.

And 4% (n=3) did not receive any. The prevalence of CMV infection in seropositive recipients was 30.9% (n=21), with 8.8% (n=6) developing CMV disease. Based on CMV-specific IgG levels, sex, and prophylaxis used, 7.3% (n=5) of recipients were classified as low risk, 83.8% (n=57) as intermediate risk, and 8.8% (n=6) as high risk.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CMV infection in this study is like that reported in other geographic regions. The high prevalence of CMV emphasizes the importance