Is the cytomegalovirus serologic status always accurate? A comparative analysis of humoral and cellular immunity.
BACKGROUND
The precise knowledge of cytomegalovirus (CMV) status is important in a variety of clinical settings such as transplantation or blood transfusion. There are, however, various situations where an immunoglobulin-based diagnostic approach has limitations.


METHODS
The CMV status of 388 individuals was determined by the analysis of both CMV-specific immunoglobulins and cellular immunity using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a rapid-flow cytometric approach, respectively.


RESULTS
In 386 of 388 individuals, both assays yielded concordant results in assigning the CMV status (294 positive and 92 negative). In 2 of 94 (2.1%) CMV immunoglobulin (Ig) G-negative individuals, CMV-specific CD4 T cells were detectable. Repeated testing of the index and follow-up samples yielded one positive and one marginally positive IgG titer.


CONCLUSIONS
Both assays yielded highly concordant results. Thus, the T-cell-based approach may represent a reliable alternative for defining CMV status in any clinical situation where serologic testing is limited by borderline titers or by the presence of passively administered antibodies.
Sester
Martina
M
Medical Department IV, Nephrology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
Gärtner
Barbara C
BC
Sester
Urban
U
Girndt
Matthias
M
Mueller-Lantzsch
Nikolaus
N
Köhler
Hans
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000917:Antibody Formation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000592:standards
D007136:Immunoglobulins