Assay of CMV Cell-Mediated Immunity Fails to Predict Risk for CMV Infection After Kidney Transplantation

In an intermediate risk population of cytomegalovirus seropositive kidney transplant recipients, the QuantiFERON cytomegalovirus assay did not prove to be clinically useful.

Assays that measure cytomegalovirus (CMV) cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are being tested to individualize the duration of antiviral preventive treatment after organ transplantation. To date, no licensed assay is available for routine use in the U.S., and the most effective application of such assays has yet to be defined. To test one assay, investigators followed 120 CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients induced with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and treated with 3 months of preventive valganciclovir. At months 2, 3, 4, and 5, CMV-CMI was assessed using the QuantiFERON CMV assay (QTF-CMV), which measured interferon-gamma in patients' whole blood after incubation with a pool of CMV antigens and used manufacturer predefined cut-offs to …

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Assay of CMV Cell-Mediated Immunity Fails to Predict Risk for CMV Infection After Kidney Transplantation

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Reviewing Author