Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD4+ T lymphocyte immune function in long-term survivors of AIDS-related CMV end-organ disease who are receiving potent antiretroviral therapy

J Infect Dis. 2001 May 1;183(9):1399-404. doi: 10.1086/319854. Epub 2001 Mar 30.

Abstract

To better understand the relation of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD4+ T lymphocyte immunity and clinical outcome in AIDS-related CMV end-organ disease, 2 patient groups were prospectively studied: patients recently diagnosed with active CMV end-organ disease and survivors of CMV retinitis who had responded to highly active antiretroviral therapy and had quiescent retinitis when anti-CMV therapy was discontinued. Most patients with active CMV disease had negative CMV-specific CD4+ T lymphocyte responses at diagnosis, as measured by lymphoproliferation (7/7) or cytokine flow cytometry (3/5) assays. In contrast, all 10 subjects with quiescent retinitis and >150 absolute CD4+ T lymphocytes/microL whose anti-CMV therapy was discontinued during 6 months of follow-up had positive CMV-specific immune responses at least once by each assay. However, 6 of these 10 subjects also had negative CMV-specific immune responses > or =1 time. Such patients may be at risk for future CMV disease progression and should be closely monitored.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology*
  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cytokines
  • Cytomegalovirus / drug effects
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / immunology*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survivors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cytokines