Association Between Thiopurine S-Methyltransferase (TPMT) Genetic Variants and Infection in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients Treated With Azathioprine: A Multi-Institutional Analysis

摘要

OBJECTIVESBone marrow suppression is a common adverse effect of the immunosuppressive drug azathioprine. Polymorphisms in the gene encoding thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) can alter the metabolism of azathioprine, resulting in marrow toxicity and life-threatening infection. In a multicenter cohort of pediatric heart transplant (HT) recipients, we determined the frequency of TPMT genetic variation and assessed whether azathioprine-treated recipients with TPMT variants were at increased risk of infection.