Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cell immunity after renal transplantation mediates protection from CMV disease by limiting the systemic virus load.

The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and T helper cells (Th) in controlling CMV infection, as detected by antigenemia assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in blood leukocytes, and CMV disease was investigated in 20 renal transplant recipients. Within 3 months after transplant, CMV-specific CTL and Th responses were demonstrable in 11 (55%) and 15 (75%) patients, respectively; CMV infection was detected by antigenemia and PCR in 19 (95%) patients each. During the month of first CMV detection, there was an inverse correlation between CTL response and antigenemia at >/=20 positive cells/105 leukocytes (P=.

Cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell immunity in recipients of autologous peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants.

The cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and CD4+ T-helper cell (Th) functions were characterized in 15 CMV seropositive recipients of autologous peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplants. These immune functions were evaluated in peripheral blood specimens obtained before and at 1, 2, and 3 months after transplant. For study of CTL activity, blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with CMV-infected autologous fibroblasts for 2 weeks and then tested for cytotoxicity against CMV-infected or mock-infected autologous and HLA-mismatched fibroblasts.