Can immune function assay predict infection or recovery?

Abstract

Background: Recently, the ImmuKnow assay (Cylex Inc., Columbia, Md) has been reported to be a global immune monitoring tool for organ transplants recipients. We assessed whether immunKnow ATP values predicted infectious syndromes.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 71 kidney transplant patients between September 2008 and May 2011. lmmuKnow assay monitoring was performed at one dav before as well as 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, and 52 weeks after the operation. ImmuKnow assay values were compared as well as BK viral infection pre-infection(PI), at first detection of infectious syndrome (DI), 4 weeks there after (4W), 8 weeks there after (8W) and 12 weeks there after (12W) and pre-recovery (PR), recovery (R) times.

Results: Serial ImmuKnow assays showed significant differences over time and BK viral infectious state (P = .026). Interestingly, PI was significantly lower than DI and PR but PR significant greater than PI, 8W and 12W. However, we did not observe an adequate or absolute cutoff value of ImmuKnow by ROC curve: 377 ng/mL ImmuKnow showed 0.471 of AUC and 57.1% and 56.2%, of sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion: Longitudinal evaluation and adjustment of the value of ImmuKnow assay seemed to be a favorable modality to monitor infectious syndromes especially those involving BK virus.