Human cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell immune reconstitution in preemptively treated heart transplant recipients identifies subjects at critical risk for infection.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents a major threat for heart transplant recipients (HTXs). CMV-specific T cells effectively control virus infection, and thus, assessment of antiviral immune recovery may have clinical utility in identifying HTXs at risk of infection. In this study, 10 CMV-seropositive (R(+)) pretransplant patients and 48 preemptively treated R(+) HTXs were examined before and after 100 days posttransplant.

Diagnostic utility of human cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell response monitoring in predicting viremia in pediatric allogeneic stem-cell transplant patients.

Background: Several studies proved that virus-specific T-cells play a pivotal role in controlling cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) patients. Fewer data are available in pediatric HSCT settings, when immature and inexperienced immune system may affect antiviral immune reconstitution.

Methods: We analyzed prospectively the CMV-specific T-cell reconstitution in a cohort of 31 pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 360 days after HSCT.

Evaluation of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cell immune reconstitution revealed that baseline antiviral immunity, prophylaxis, or preemptive therapy but not antithymocyte globulin treatment contribute to CMV-specific T cell reconstitution in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: The ultimate goal of organ transplantation is the reestablishment of organ function and the restoration of a solid immunity to prevent the assault of potentially deadly pathogens. T cell immunity is crucial in controlling cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. It is still unknown how preexisting antiviral T cell levels, prophylaxis, or preemptive antiviral strategies and pharmacological conditioning affect immune reconstitution.