Using a commercially available assay that measures cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T-cell immunity to predict protection against CMV: A prospective, blinded clinical study

Abstract

The Viracor CMV-T-cell immunity Panel (TCIP) measures %CMV-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells. In this blinded clinical study, we evaluated the performance of the TCIP in predicting CMV events. Prospectively enrolled donor or recipient CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients (KTR) were evaluated with monthly TCIP testing until either discontinuation of valganciclovir prophylaxis or CMV DNAemia prompting treatment initiation. Also, prospectively enrolled KTR with low-level untreated DNAemia or after completion of treatment were evaluated for progression or relapse of CMV infection. Among 46 KTR, those with CMV events had significantly lower %CMV-specific CD8⁺ T-cells (p = 0.024), and the CMV protection ROC AUC was significant (AUC 0.78, p = 0.026). The positive predictive values of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell positivity >0.2 % for CMV protection were: 96.3 % for CMV DNAemia prompting treatment initiation, 92.6 % for any DNAemia, 100 % for DNAemia >1000 IU/mL. The TCIP could be a useful adjunct tool in individualized management of CMV infection.

Keywords: CD4(+) T-cells; CD8(+) T-cells; Cytomegalovirus (CMV); T-cells.