CMV-Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity Predicts a High Level of CMV Replication After Prophylaxis Withdrawal in Lung Transplant Recipients
Laura Donadeu, Eva Revilla‐López, Marta Jarque, Elena Crespo, Alba Torija, Carles Bravo, Ibai Los‐Arcos, María Meneghini, Àlex Favà, Antonio Román, Vı́ctor Monforte, Oriol Bestard
Abstract
Monitoring cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is useful in predicting late-onset CMV infection after solid organ transplantation, but few data have been reported after lung transplantation (LT). CMV CMI against 2 CMV antigens (IE-1, pp65) was evaluated in 60 seropositive LT at 6-month prophylaxis withdrawal. LT with late-onset CMV infection showed significantly lower (IE-1)CMV CMI than patients without (P = .045), and was more evident in patients developing high viral loads (P = .010). (IE-1)CMV CMI independently predicted high first late-onset viral replication (odds ratio, 4.358; 95% confidence interval, 1.043-18.215). CMV-specific CMI may be useful in CMV preventive strategies after LT.