Valacyclovir or valganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis: A randomized controlled trial in adult and pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Valganciclovir (valG), a cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylactic agent, has dose-limiting side effects. The tolerability and effectiveness of valacyclovir (valA) as CMV prophylaxis is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label, single-center trial of valA versus valG for all posttransplant CMV prophylaxis in adult and pediatric kidney recipients.

Cell activation-based screening of natively paired human T cell receptor repertoires.

Adoptive immune therapies based on the transfer of antigen-specific T cells have been used successfully to treat various cancers and viral infections, but improved techniques are needed to identify optimally protective human T cell receptors (TCRs). Here we present a high-throughput approach to the identification of natively paired human TCRα and TCRβ (TCRα:β) genes encoding heterodimeric TCRs that recognize specific peptide antigens bound to major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHCs). We first captured and cloned TCRα:β genes from individual cells, ensuring fidelity using a suppression PCR.

Declining Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Prevalence in College Freshmen Strengthens the Rationale for a Prophylactic EBV Vaccine.

Background: To better understand the epidemiology of primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and to identify EBV-naïve candidates eligible to receive a prophylactic EBV vaccine, we screened freshmen from the University of Minnesota Class of 2025 for circulating EBV antibody, which is indicative of previous infection. This permitted us to compare their EBV antibody prevalence with that of 4 other freshman classes (Classes of 2010, 2011, 2016, 2021) that have been previously published.

Methods: Freshman students were recruited during screening sessions in the residence halls.

Rapid antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus correlate with reduced severity of primary infection.

Background: We investigated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody kinetics in university freshmen who developed laboratory-documented primary EBV infection during prospective studies and correlated these kinetics with disease severity.

Methods: EBV-naïve participants had blood collected periodically and sera tested for EBV-specific antibodies with line blot and enzyme immunoassays. The line blot assay contained EBNA-1, p18, p23, BZLF-1, p138, and p54 antigens; the enzyme immunoassay contained viral capsid antigen and EBNA-1.