Abstract / Summary
Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important opportunistic agent after renal transplantation, which causes graft loss and mortality. However, no studies on HCMV glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes among Iraqi patients with renal transplants have been documented, creating a research gap.Objective: To determine the frequency of HCMV DNAemia, UL55 genotypes, and their relation to demographics and clinical parameters in renal transplant recipients from Iraq.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved collecting 200 blood samples from renal transplant recipients in their first year after transplantation (January 2025-July 2025). HCMV DNA was detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; those that tested positive for HCMV DNAemia were typed for UL55.Results: HCMV DNAemia was present in 21 out of 200 patients (10.5%). Significant associations were found with younger age (≤ 30 years), unrelated donor status, and hyperglycemia (P-value < 0.05); however, there were no significant associations with sex, hypertension, or duration of hemodialysis treatment (P-value > 0.05). Among the 21 patients with positive results, 15 (71.4%) had co-infection with gB3 and gB5; however, gB1, gB2, and gB4 were not detected.Conclusion: HCMV DNAemia has been shown to be associated with younger age, unrelated donor status, and hyperglycemia. A gB3/gB5 mixed infection genotype predominated. Given the small number of HCMV-positive cases (n = 21), results should be considered with some reservation.