Cytomegalovirus in transplantation: new developments.
The control of cytomegalovirus infection and disease continues to be a major problem in transplantation and different strategies have been developed to reduce its incidence. Early diagnosis of infection soon after transplantation, using molecular tools such as the polymerase chain reaction, have resulted in successful clinical trials using the strategy of pre-emptive therapy. Adoptive transfer of immune cells, which are predominantly the cytomegalovirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, into transplant recipients has been shown to restore effective immunity. A vaccine preparation has been in development aimed at preventing primary infections in allograft recipients though effective protection has yet to be shown. The mechanisms of viral pathogenesis in chronic graft rejection remain unclear; however, recent contributions from the field of cell biology have increased our understanding of possible processes which have the potential for application in the field of gene therapy for the treatment of disease.
Lam
K M
KM
Imperial College School of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Harefield Hospital, UK.
Khan
M
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000821:virology; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000821:virology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000821:virology*; D014180:Transplantation; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014779:Virus Replication
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir