Primary cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65-specific CD8+ T-cell responses and T-bet levels predict immune control during early chronic infection in lung transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains an important pathogen in solid organ transplantation, particularly lung transplantation. Lung transplant recipients (LTRs) mismatched for CMV (donor positive/recipient negative [D(+)R(-)]) are at highest risk for active CMV infection and have increased mortality. However, the correlates of immune control during chronic CMV infection remain incompletely understood.