Factors influencing the occurrence of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections after organ transplantation.

In this study, several factors influencing the occurrence of active CMV infection after organ transplantation (Tx) are analysed. For this purpose, 105 heart, kidney and lung transplant recipients who were CMV-positive or had a CMV-positive donor, were closely monitored for active CMV infection by antigenaemia, cultures, CMV serology and lymphocyte proliferation (LP) to CMV. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed. As pretransplant risk factors the HLA-type and numbers of HLA mismatches between recipients and their donors, and the CMV serology of the recipient and donor were analysed. A new finding was that recipients of donors positive for HLA-B7 were especially at risk for developing active CMV infection (P = 0.03) and CMV disease (P = 0.03). This was not due to increased rejection treatment in these patients. Post-transplant risk factors for development of active CMV infection were absence of detectable cellular immunity to CMV (lymphocyte proliferation) after Tx (P < 0.01) and rejection treatment with OKT3 or ATG (P = 0.05). High levels of IgG anti-CMV did not prevent occurrence of active CMV infection or CMV disease in the CMV+ recipients.     

Oligo-monoclonal immunoglobulins frequently develop during concurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in patients after renal transplantation

In the present study we report that the appearance of oligo-monoclonal immunoglobulins (oligoM-Igs) in the sera of transplanted individuals is concurrent with the detection of coincident active CMV infection and EBV replication. Eighty-four renal allograft patients were monitored with respect to CMV isolation, to CMV conventional serology and humoral response against the EBV trans-activator ZEBRA (an immediate-early antigen also called BZLF1). Titration of anti-ZEBRA antibodies (IgG and IgM) and amount of EBV DNA in serum were evaluated. Using the combination of four techniques (agarose gel electrophoresis, analytical isoelectric focusing, high resolution immunoelectrophoresis, immunofixation electrophoresis), oligoM-Igs were found in 25% of patients after allografting and significantly associated with rejection episodes (P < 0.001). Twenty out of 23 (86%) concurrent CMV/EBV infections were associated with serum oligoM-Igs (P < 0.001). One can thus reasonably assume that a sustained EBV replication following iatrogenic immunosuppression can promote the immunoglobulin heavy chain expression in EBV-infected B lymphocytes. The proliferation of immunoglobulin-secreting clones might occur after active CMV infection, through a transient over-immunosuppression or via immune subversion.     

Cytomegalovirus reactivation in lymphoma and myeloma patients undergoing autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

BackgroundCytomegalovirus reactivation is often diagnosed in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and therefore could lead to CMV-related disease, involving many organs in these immunocompromised patients. In contrast, few studies investigated CMV reactivation and end-organ disease in patients undergoing Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) since they are considered at low risk for both reactivation and disease.ObjectivesThe primary outcome of the analysis was to understand the difference in incidence of CMV reactivation between MM and Lymphoma patients. Secondary outcomes included the difference between MM and Lymphoma patients when considering the effect of CMV reactivation on transplant related mortality (TRM) overall survival (OS) progression free survival (PFS), risk factors for reactivation, and median time to reactivation.Study designIn this report, we retrospectively compared the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of CMV reactivation in adult patients with Myeloma (MM) and Lymphoma undergoing ASCT at the American university of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon (AUBMC). A total of 324 consecutive ASCT were performed between January 2005 and March 2016. Serial weekly monitoring for CMV quantification was done using a quantitative PCR, starting from transplantation until the hospital discharge and afterwards based on the clinical symptoms in cases of clinical suspicion of reactivation after discharge from the hospital.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of CMV reactivation was 16% (n = 53) with a median time of 16 (range, 4–242) days after ASCT. The incidence of reactivation was significantly higher in the MM (22%) and NHL (20%) groups, when compared to the HL (4%) (P = 0.001). There was a higher incidence of CMV reactivation according to age (≥50 vs ≤50 years) with higher incidence in the older population 24% vs 10% respectively (p = 0.0043). The mean time to CMV reactivation was significantly higher in the NHL group with a mean of 53.7 days when compared to the HL and MM groups with mean 19.75 days and 12.66 (range, 4–34) days respectively (P = 0.003). Twenty-two patients (76%) and three patients (75%) patients required specific antiviral therapy in the MM group and HL groups respectively; which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) then the NHL group with 13 (65%) patients requiring specific antiviral therapy.Five patients (1.5%) developed CMV disease at a median of 60 days (range, 7–107) post ASCT: there was significant difference in the mean-time to reactivation based on disease type MM versus lymphoma 10 versus 33 days (P = 0.007).In multivariate analysis, a higher age was associated with an increased risk of CMV reactivation; MM and NHL had higher risk of CMV reactivation when compared to HL, and progressive disease at transplant was associated with increased risk of CMV reactivation.After a median follow-up of 21.5 months (range: 1–125), there was no significant impact on PFS, however there was significant decrease in OS of lymphoma patients who had CMV reactivation when compared to those without CMV reactivation (204 and 112 days respectively P = 0.045). TRM increased from 1.1% in patients with no CMV reactivation to 13% in patients with CMV reactivation (P = 0.003).ConclusionOur data suggests that CMV reactivation is not uncommon in ASCT recipients and may contribute to increase TRM. MM patients may have a higher incidence, of CMV reactivation with more anti-viral treatment requirements when compared to lymphoma patients, especially in older population.     

Cytomegalovirus management after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A mini-review

Because of the high incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) seropositivity in the population, CMV infection is a common and severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in Taiwan. Here we propose a CMV management strategy for patients undergoing allo-HSCT from the Taiwanese perspective, which focuses on the epidemiology, diagnosis, monitoring, prophylaxis, and treatment of CMV infection after allo-HSCT. In terms of CMV monitoring, weekly CMV monitoring with the COBAS® AmpliPrep system is the standard approach because the pp65 CMV antigenemia assay has a lower sensitivity than CMV monitoring with the COBAS® AmpliPrep system. However, pp65 CMV antigenemia assay has a better correlation with clinical symptoms in immunocompromised patients. A 14-week prophylactic course of letermovir is recommended for allo-HSCT recipients in Taiwan, especially for recipients of hematopoietic stem cells from mismatched unrelated and haploidentical donors. Preemptive ganciclovir therapy should be initiated when the CMV viral load exceeds 1000 copies/mL, and should not be discontinued until CMV DNA is no longer detected in the blood. For allo-HSCT recipients who have CMV-related diseases, ganciclovir with or without CMV-specific intravenous immunoglobulin is the standard of care. The limited availability of foscarnet, an alternative for patients who are not responsive to or cannot tolerate ganciclovir, is a crucial issue in Taiwan. For pediatric allo-HSCT recipients, more data are needed to propose a CMV management recommendation.     

Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis with valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus-seropositive kidney-transplant patients

The aims of this prospective, open-label, single-center pilot study were to assess the efficacy and safety of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) prophylaxis using valganciclovir in HCMV- seropositive kidney-transplant patients to prevent HCMV infection and disease. Fifty-one HCMV seropositive kidney-transplant patients recipients who received transplants between 1 December 2005 and 30 November 2006 were included in the study. Valganciclovir was given from transplantation up to 114 (37-329) days, and was adapted to renal function, i.e., 900 mg/d if calculated creatinine clearance was >60 ml/min, or 450 mg/day if it was <60 ml/min. HCMV DNAemia was assessed every 2 weeks during prophylaxis, and on the same basis for 3 months post-prophylaxis. Immunosuppression was based on calcineurin inhibitors (ciclosporine A=22; tacrolimus=11), with mycophenolate mofetil (n=51), and low-dose steroids. Eighteen patients received no calcineurin-inhibitors, but Belatacept instead. During valganciclovir prophylaxis, asymptomatic HCMV DNAemia was observed in one patient, and no case of HCMV disease occurred. Within 252 days (45-425) post-valganciclovir prophylaxis, HCMV DNAemia was detected in 23.5% (n=12) of patients, of whom two had two or more consecutive HCMV DNAemias. Valganciclovir prophylaxis in HCMV-seropositive kidney-transplant patients is effective for preventing cytomegalovirus disease.     

Diagnostic usefulness of dynamic changes of CMV-specific T-cell responses in predicting CMV infections in HCT recipients

BackgroundCMV-specific cell mediated immune responses before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) can categorize patients as at high or low risk of CMV development.ObjectivesWe evaluated the usefulness of the CMV-specific T-cell ELISPOT assay for predicting the development of CMV infections after HCT in recipients with donor-positive and recipient-positive CMV serology (D+/R+ ).Study designCMV pp65 and IE1-specific ELISPOT assays were performed before HCT (D0), and at 30 (D30) and 90 (D90) days after HCT.ResultsOf the 84 HCT recipients with D+/R+, 42 (50%) developed ≥ 1 episode of CMV infection. Thirty-nine (64%) of 61 patients with Δ(D30-D0) pp65 < 42 developed CMV infections compared with 3 (14%) of 21 patients with Δ(D30-D0) pp65 ≥ 42 (P < 0.001). Twenty-three (74%) of 31 patients with Δ(D30-D0) IE1 < −4 developed CMV infections compared with 19 (37%) of 51 patients with Δ(D30-D0) IE1 ≥ −4 (P = 0.001). pp65 Δ(D30-D0) ≥ 42 had 93% sensitivity for ruling out subsequent CMV infection, and pp65 Δ(D30-D0) < 42 followed by Δ(D30-D0) IE1 < −4 had 100% specificity for ruling in the subsequent CMV infection. In addition, 10 (53%) of 19 patients with Δ(D90-D30) pp65 < 23 had relapsing CMV infections, compared with 3 (15%) of 20 patients with Δ(D90-D30) pp65 ≥ 23 (P = 0.02). The sensitivity and specificity of Δ(D90-D30) pp65 were 77% (95% CI 50–92) and 65% (95% CI, 46–81).ConclusionDynamic change in the CMV-specific ELISPOT assay before versus after HCT appears to predict the subsequent development of CMV infection and relapsing CMV infection.     

Cytomegalovirus infection after bone marrow transplantation: relation of pneumonia to postgrafting immunosuppressive treatment

Five fatal cases of CMV associated interstitial pneumonia occurred among 20 patients who had received allogenic bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia or aplastic anaemia. This outcome was analysed in relation to prospectively obtained data on complement fixing (CF) and IgM anti-CMV titres and excretion of CMV in urine or pharynx. Altogether 16 patients had primary or reactivated CMV infection. Five of these patients receiving corticosteroids at the time of infection, at a dose of more than 1 mg/kg/day, failed to mount a significant CF antibody response, excreted large amounts of virus, and died from pneumonia, while the remaining 11 infected patients obtained high CF antibody titres and showed no severe symptoms related to CMV infection. IgM antibodies occurred simultaneously with CF antibodies in most cases of primary and reactivated infection. The results of the study suggest a protective role of the humoral immune response to CMV infection in BMT recipients, and passive immunisation with CMV hyperimmune globulin should be attempted especially in patients given additional immunosuppression with high dose corticosteroids.     

Persistent CMV infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a CMV-seronegative donor-to-positive recipient constellation: Development of multidrug resistance in the absence of anti-viral cellular immunity

We describe a case of persistent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with discordant and high-risk (D−/R+) constellation of CMV serostatus. Despite the use of different and innovative antiviral strategies, viral replication could not be suppressed successfully promoting a protracted CMV colitis associated with severe gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease (GI GVHD). We illustrate that the development of multidrug viral resistance, the failure to mount a CMV-specific cellular immune response, as confirmed by QuantiFERON^®-CMV (Qiagen) assay, and the refractory GVHD requiring prolonged immunosuppression were the main factors contributing to persistent viral replication and the fulminant unfavorable course.     

Cytomegalovirus infection according to cell source after hematopoietic cell transplantation in pediatric patients

Purpose

This study was performed in order to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in children with acute leukemia according to donor source and graft type.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively identified children with acute leukemia who had received allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation at Samsung Medical Center in Korea from October 1998 to December 2009.

Results

In total, 134 recipients were identified. The patients were classified into the following three groups: unrelated cord blood (CB, n=36), related bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells (RD, n=41), and unrelated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells (UD, n=57). The 365-day cumulative incidence of CMV antigenemia was not significantly different among the three groups (CB 67% vs. RD 49% vs. UD 65%, p=0.17). However, CB recipients had the highest median value of peak antigenemia (CB 160/2×10⁵ leukocytes vs. RD 7/2×10⁵ leukocytes vs. UD 19/2×10⁵ leukocytes, p<0.01) and the longest duration of CMV antigenemia than the other stem cell source recipients (CB 87 days vs. RD 17 days vs. UD 28 days, p<0.01). In addition, the 730-day cumulative incidence of CMV disease was the highest in the CB recipients (CB 36% vs. RD 2% vs. UD 5%, p<0.01). Thirteen CB recipients developed CMV disease, in which five of them had more than one organ involvement. Two patients, who were CB recipients, died of CMV pneumonia.

Conclusion

This study suggests that CB recipients had both longer and higher cumulative incidences of CMV infection. Therefore, a more aggressive and effective strategy of CMV management should be considered in CB recipients.     

Cutaneous cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a patient with metastasized lung cancer

Diagnosing cutaneous cytomegalovirus (CMV) is difficult due to its rarity and diverse manifestations, and early recognition is crucial as it may indicate disseminated disease and a poor prognosis. We examined a 71-year-old Taiwanese male presenting with a 1-week history of progressive, painful papulopustules associated with superficial ulcers and thick yellowish crusts on the scalp. He had been diagnosed with stage IVb lung adenocarcinoma 6 weeks earlier, and the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI) erlotinib and radiotherapy had been started to treat brain metastases 1 month before he came to our clinic. Histopathological examination of a scalp lesion and ELISA and PCR testing of blood samples were indicative of disseminated CMV infection. Unfortunately, the patient passed away the day after his scalp biopsy, before the investigations confirmed the infection. We would like to highlight the importance of remaining vigilant for cutaneous CMV in end-stage cancer patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and recognizing how this potentially life-threatening viral infection can masquerade as a possible side effect of erlotinib.     

Monitoring plasma levels of ganciclovir in AIDS patients receiving oral ganciclovir as maintenance therapy for CMV retinitis

Objectives To investigate whether low ganciclovir serum levels in patients on maintenance oral ganciclovir therapy are associated with recurrence of CMV retinitis.
Methods A prospective study of the plasma concentration of ganciclovir after initiation of maintenance oral ganciclovir therapy in 14 AIDS patients who had recovered from acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.
Results Five of the 14 patients exhibited a mean time to recurrence of 37 days. The mean trough plasma concentration of ganciclovir in these patients after 1 month of oral ganciclovir therapy, was 0.40 ± 0.30 mg/L. Nine patients had a mean time of progression of 263 days. The mean trough plasma concentration of ganciclovir in the latter patients was 0.80 ± 0.60 mg/L.
Conclusions Patients exhibiting trough plasma levels of ganciclovir below 0.6 mg/L may be at higher risk of progression than patients who exhibited levels above 0.6 mg/L.     

Immunoglobulin G subclasses and lymphocyte stimulatory responses to cytomegalovirus in transplant patients with primary cytomegalovirus infections.

The early activation of T- and B-cell responses to cytomegalovirus was studied in immunosuppressed patients. Primary lymphocyte stimulation to cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen, a measure of T-helper activity, and anti-CMV IgG subclass responses were analyzed. Ten patients suffering from primary CMV infection following renal transplantation were studied. Of the ten, nine became positive for CMV induced lymphocyte proliferation 5-40 weeks after transplantation. Nine showed an almost simultaneous appearance of anti-CMV IgG1 and three at 3-32 weeks after transplantation, while one patient synthesized only low levels of anti-CMV IgG1. The lymphocyte proliferation assays have limited diagnostic value for primary CMV infection in renal transplant patients. The humoral and cellular immune responses seemed to be independent of each other.     

Significance of Epstein-Barr virus (HHV-4) and CMV (HHV-5) infection among subtype-C human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

Purpose: Opportunistic viral infections are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV infection and their molecular detection in the whole blood could be a useful diagnostic tool. Objective: The frequency of opportunistic DNA virus infections among HIV-1-infected individuals using multiplex real-time PCR assays was studied. Materials and Methods: The subjects were in two groups; group 1: Having CD4 counts <100 cells/µl (n = 118) and the group 2: counts >350 cells/µl (n = 173). Individuals were classified by WHO clinical staging system. Samples from 70 healthy individuals were tested as controls. In-house qualitative multiplex real-time PCR was standardised and whole blood samples from 291 were tested, followed by quantitative real-time PCR for positives. In a proportion of samples genotypes of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and CMV were determined. Results: The two major viral infections observed were EBV and CMV. The univariate analysis of CMV load showed significant association with cryptococcal meningitis, oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL), CMV retinitis, CD4 counts and WHO staging (P < 0.05) while the multivariate analysis showed an association with OHL (P = 0.02) and WHO staging (P = 0.05). Univariate analysis showed an association of EBV load with CD4 counts and WHO staging (P < 0.05) and multivariate analysis had association only with CD4 counts. The CMV load was significantly associated with elevated SGPT and SGOT level (P < 0.05) while the EBV had only with SGOT. Conclusion: This study showed an association of EBV and CMV load with CD4+ T cell counts, WHO staging and elevated liver enzymes. These viral infections can accelerate HIV disease and multiplex real-time PCR can be used for the early detection. Genotype 1 and 2 of EBV and genotype gB1 and gB2 of CMV were the prevalent in the HIV-1 subtype C-infected south Indians.     

Letermovir prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus reactivation in children who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A single-institute experience in Taiwan

From January 2019 to May 2021, 11 children underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation at our institute. Four of them received letermovir for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis. Three children, none of whom received prophylaxis, experienced cytomegalovirus reactivation. Letermovir is a promising medication for use in cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in children. Further studies are warranted.     

儿童造血干细胞移植患者人巨细胞病毒与疱疹病毒6型感染及相互关系

目的 了解儿童造血干细胞移植患者术后人巨细胞病毒与疱疹病毒6型的感染情况以及相互关系.方法 患者为2007年6月至2009年10月间北京儿童医院血液病中心的造血干细胞移植的患儿,患儿术后每周采集外周静脉血,分别应用荧光定量PCR和常规PCR检测患者血清中CMV DNA载量及外周全血中HHV-6,并对HHV-6进行分型.结果 共52例造血干细胞移植患者,636份标本.20例造血干细胞移植患者共52份标本CMV-DNA检测阳性,中位检出时间为术后56d.CMV感染的总发生率为38.5%（20/52）.其中异基因造血干细胞移植CMV感染的发病率为47.6%（20/42）,晚发性CMV感染的发生率为22.2%（6/27）.3例CMV感染患者死亡,其中2例诊断CMV间质性肺炎.14例患者共33份血标本HHV-6 PCR阳性,中位检出时间为术后23d,HHV6感染的总发生率为26.9%（14/52）,其中异基因HSCT患者HHV6感染的发生率为31%（13/42）,且均为B型.20例CMV阳性的造血干细胞移植患者中,有6例发生CMV感染,HHV-6与CMV共感染率为30%（6/20）.结论 儿童造血干细胞移植患者术后CMV感染率和HHV-6感染率均较高,造血干细胞移植术后发生较早的HHV-6感染和发生较晚的CMV感染之间的关系有待进一步研究.     

肝移植后早期胃肠功能对预后的影响

背景：肝移植患者常合并胃肠功能恢复延迟,可能一定程度影响患者预后。 目的：回顾性分析肝移植后胃肠功能完全恢复时间,探讨其与肝移植患者预后的关系。 方法：收集2006年1月至2011年10月某省两所三级甲等医院符合纳入标准的254例肝移植后患者的病历资料,对肝移植患者后胃肠功能完全恢复时间进行描述性分析。根据恢复时间不同分为< 7 d组、7-14 d组和> 14 d组,对比观察各组患者肝移植后并发症发生率、移植后住院天数及住院费用等。 结果与结论：254例患者肝移植后胃肠功能完全恢复时间< 7 d者142例,7-14 d者90例,>14 d者22例。< 7 d组患者的感染性并发症(肺部、腹腔、切口)、肝移植后2周血清总胆红素水平、住院时间及住院费用最低,7-14 d组次之,>14 d组最高,差异均有显著性意义(P < 0.05);< 7 d组肝移植后2周血清白蛋白水平最高,7-14 d组次之,而>14 d组最低,差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。而肝移植后肾功能不全、急性排斥反应等并发症发生率差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。结果表明,肝移植后胃肠功能恢复延迟发生概率较高,其延迟患者肝移植后感染相关并发症发生机会升高、住院时间延长、住院费用增加。     

HLA高分辨等位基因与骨髓移植受者HCMV抗原血症研究

目的 分析HLA高分辨等位基因与骨髓移植术后HCMVpp65抗原血症的相关性.方法 选取2009年2月至2010年10月在我院行骨髓移植术患者48例;采用免疫组化方法检测患者HCMVpp65,采用直接测序分型方法（PCR-SBT）检测患者HLA-A＊1101、HLA-A＊0201、HLA-A＊2402、HLA-B＊4001、HLA-DRB1＊0901五个高分辨等位基因.结果 ①48例骨髓移植术后患者HCMV感染率100％;②HLA-A＊1101、HLA-A＊0201、HLA-A＊2402、HLA-B＊ 4001等位基因阳性率在pp65抗原血症12例低感染组和36例高感染组中比较没有统计学意义（P＞0.05）,其阳性率HLA-A＊1101为33.3％ （8/24）和20.8％ （15/72）、HLA-A＊0201为4.2％ （1/24）和13.9％ （10/72）、HLA-A＊ 2402为12.5％ （3/24）和19.4％ （14/72）、HLA-B＊ 4001 16.7％ （4/24）和12.5％ （9/72）;③HLA-DRB1＊0901等位基因阳性率在pp65抗原血症12例低感染组和36例高感染组中比较有统计学意义（P =0.048）,其阳性率为4.2％ （1/24）和19.4％ （14/72）;④HLA-DRB1＊0901组患者pp65抗原血症高于HLA-A＊2402组（P =0.007）和HLA-A＊1101组患者（P=0.028）,HLA-A＊0201组患者pp65抗原血症高于HLA-A＊2402组患者（P=0.02）,其他高分辨等位基因组之间pp65抗原血症差异没有统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 HLA-DRB1＊0901等位基因可能与骨髓移植术后患者发生高HCMVpp65抗原血症有关;HLA-A＊2402等位基因可能与骨髓移植术后患者发生低HCMVpp65抗原血症有关.     

肾移植术后肺部感染23例临床分析

目的分析肾移植术后肺部感染的临床特点和诊治措施。方法对23例肾移植术后并发肺部感染患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果23例患者中巨细胞病毒感染9例,其中合并细菌感染2例。细菌感染7例,其中复合细菌感染1例,细菌合并真菌感染2例;肺部真菌感染4例。发生细菌败血症1例,真菌败血症1例。另3例未检出病原体。经综合治疗本组中22例治愈,1例死亡,为细菌合并真菌感染的重症肺部感染者,死亡原因为急性呼吸窘迫综合征。结论肾移植术后合并肺部感染病情复杂,死亡率较高;可靠的病原学诊断、及时而有效的综合治疗可提高其治愈率。