Ten-Year Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Patients in Taiwan

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause infection and critical diseases in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. This study aimed to explore the cumulative incidence and risk factors for CMV infection and disease among HSCT recipients in Taiwan. Methods This retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry (TBMTR) included HSCT recipients between 2009 and 2018 in Taiwan. The primary outcome was cumulative incidence of CMV infection or disease at day 100 after HSCT. Secondary outcomes included day 180 cumulative incidence of CMV infection or disease, infection sites, risk factors for CMV infection or disease, survival analysis, and overall survival after CMV infection and disease. Results There were 4,394 HSCT recipients included in the study (2,044 auto-HSCT and 2,350 allo-HSCT). The cumulative incidence of CMV infection and disease was significantly higher in allo-HSCT than in auto-HSCT patients (53.7% vs. 6.0%, P < 0.0001 and 55.6% vs. 6.3%, P < 0.0001). Use of ATG (HR 1.819, p < 0.0001), recipient CMV serostatus positive (HR 2.631, p < 0.0001) and acute GVHD grades ≥II (HR 1.563, p < 0.0001) were risk factors for CMV infection, while matched donor (HR 0.856, p = 0.0180) and myeloablative conditioning (MAC) (HR 0.674, p<0.0001) were protective factors. Conclusion The study revealed a significant disparity in terms of the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of CMV infection and disease between auto and allo-HSCT patients. These findings underscore the importance of considering these factors in the management of HSCT recipients to improve outcomes related to CMV infections.