The potential association of CMV-specific CD8+ T lymphocyte reconstitution with the risk of CMV reactivation and persistency in post allogeneic stem cell transplant patients.

Objectives: development of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+ T cell response is crucial in preventing symptomatic CMV infection specially, in stem cell transplant (SCT) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate CMV-specific CD8+ T cell reconstitution in allogeneic SCT recipients and to study the possible association between CMV-specific CD8+ T cell recovery with protection from CMV reactivation and persistency.

Methods: Human leuKocyte antigen (HLA)-tetramers were used for CMV-specific CD8+ cell quantitation by Flow cytometry in twenty post-allogeneic SCT patients.