Citomegalovirus infection (CMv) is one of the major causes of morbidity in renal transplant patients. Objective: to review the manifestations of the acute viral illness and its direct and indirect effects on graft and recipient in transplant patients. Material and methods: we conducted a systematic review of the literature in which we found 40 complete publications related to the topic. Conclusions: in addition to the acute illness that manifests with mononucleosis syndrome or tissue damage, CMv has indirect effects on the graft and the receptor’s vascular system that appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and shorten both graft and receiver survival. The strategies used in recent years have reduced the deleterious effect of acute CMv disease, but its impact on the indirect effects of the latent infection is unknown. (Acta Med Colomb 2012; 37: 131-137)