Lack of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cell-mediated immune response using QuantiFERON-CMV assay in CMV-seropositive healthy volunteers: fact not artifact

Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 28;10(1):7194. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-64133-x.

Abstract

The QuantiFERON-CMV (QF) assay measures cell-mediated immunity against cytomegalovirus (CMV-CMI), which is particularly useful in individuals susceptible to CMV infection such as transplant patients. A positive QF result identifies patients that are better protected against CMV infection. However, the significance of a negative QF result in CMV-seropositive individuals needs to be clarified. CMV-CMI was analyzed in healthy subjects using the QF assay, and, in parallel, the Flow-cytometric Assay of Specific Cell-mediated Immune response in Activated whole blood (FASCIA). FASCIA assay measures T-cell proliferation using CMV lysate as stimulus whereas QF assay use a mix of peptides. A total of 93 healthy volunteers were enrolled, and 13/71 CMV-seropositive individuals (18.3%) showed humoral/cellular discordance using QF assay (CMV+ QF-). Interestingly, with FASCIA assay CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferations were lower in CMV+ QF- than in CMV+ QF+ individuals. Furthermore, CMV+ QF- volunteers had a lower level of anti-CMV IgG than CMV+ QF+ subjects. Discordant CMV+ QF- volunteers can be defined as low responder individuals since they show lower CMV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in comparison to CMV+ QF+ individuals. Immune discordance shows the high heterogeneity of immunity to CMV in healthy subjects.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular*
  • Immunoassay
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G