Development of an EliSPOT assay for HSV-1 and clinical validation in lung transplant patients.

Cellular immunity plays a major role in the control of HSV-1 infection/reactivation with a potential impact on the clinical-therapeutic management of immunocompromised patients, such as transplant recipients. Herein, we quantitatively evaluated T-cell response directed at HSV-1 by a newly developed IFN-γ EliSPOT assay in 53 patients (including 45 lung transplant recipients and eight subjects in waiting list). Overall, 62.

Evaluation of polyomavirus BK cellular immune response by an ELISpot assay and relation to viral replication in kidney transplant recipients.

The failure of immune surveillance may be associated with polyomavirus BK reactivation, potentially leading to the development of nephropathy in kidney transplantation. BK-specific cellular immune response may be used to modulate immunosuppressive therapy, but few studies have investigated the topic. Herein, we serially evaluated BK-specific response in 149 kidney transplant recipients and found that only 14/149 (9.

Evaluation of Epstein-Barr virus-specific immunologic response in solid organ transplant recipients with an enzyme-linked ImmunoSpot assay.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a γ-herpes virus, responsible for infectious mononucleosis in immunocompetent hosts. Cellular immunity appears rapidly during EBV primary infection, keeping it silent despite long-life persistence in B lymphocytes. Defects of the EBV-specific cellular immunity are supposed to be the basis of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders, promoted by high levels of immunosuppression.

The lack of cytomegalovirus-specific cellular immune response may contribute to the onset of organ infection and disease in lung transplant recipients.

Cellular immune response has been demonstrated to play a role in the control of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication in organ transplant recipients. Herein, HCMV-specific T-cell response and association to the onset of organ infection/disease were prospectively evaluated by EliSPOT assay in a population of 46 lung transplant (LT) recipients at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post-transplantation. According to our centre?s practice, a combined prolonged antiviral prophylaxis (HCMV-IG for 12 months and ganciclovir or valganciclovir for 3 weeks from postoperative day 21) was given to all LT recipients.

Clinical impact of HSV-1 detection in the lower respiratory tract from hospitalized adult patients.

The occurrence and clinical impact of herpes simplex virus (HSV) were evaluated in 342 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from 237 patients. HSV-1 and HSV-2 were detected in 32.1% and <1% of patients, respectively.