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.
Medical Department IV, Nephrology, University of the Saarland, Homburg, Germany.
Martina
M
Sester
Barbara C
BC
Gärtner
Urban
U
Sester
Matthias
M
Girndt
Nikolaus
N
Mueller-Lantzsch
Hans
H
Köhler
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