Evaluation of cell-mediated immune response by QuantiFERON Monitor Assay in kidney transplant recipients presenting with infective complications

Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Jul 2;99(27):e21010. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000021010.

Abstract

The net level of immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients is difficult to assess. QuantiFERON Monitor (QFM) is an in vitro diagnostic test that detects interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release in peripheral blood. The aim of our study was to compare QFM testing results in stable kidney transplant recipients and kidney transplant recipients with infection, in a single-centre cohort.We enrolled 71 kidney transplant recipients from our transplantation centre. They were divided into 2 groups according to clinical presentation (Stable kidney transplant recipients or Infection).There were no significant differences in interferon-γ release between the 2 groups (Stable kidney transplant recipients 140.59 ± 215.28 IU/ml, Infection group 78.37 ± 197.03 IU/ml, P = .24). A further analysis revealed that kidney transplant recipients presenting with bacterial infection had significantly lower IFN-γ release when compared to stable kidney transplant recipients (26.52 ± 42.46 IU/ml vs 140.59 ± 215.28 IU/ml, P = .04).Kidney transplant recipients presenting with bacterial infection had lower IFN-γ release when compared to stable kidney transplant recipients. The QFM test may be useful as a tool to help guide immunosuppression dosing in kidney transplant recipients, but further studies are required to confirm its diagnostic value.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-gamma / blood*
  • Interferon-gamma Release Tests / methods*
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Transplant Recipients / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Interferon-gamma