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Higher prevalence of cytomegalovirus pp65 antigenemia associated with lower CD4+ T lymphocyte count

M Jahan1, A K M Z Islam, S Tabassum

  • 1Department of Virology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka.

Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin
|June 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 antigenemia is more prevalent in immunocompromised patients with low CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts. Higher levels of CMV pp65 antigen correlate with decreased cellular immunity, indicating a more severe infection in these vulnerable individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common opportunistic pathogen.
  • Immunocompromised patients are at higher risk for severe CMV infections.
  • CD4+ T-lymphocyte count is a key indicator of cellular immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between CMV pp65 antigenemia and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts in immunocompromised patients.
  • To compare the prevalence of CMV pp65 antigenemia across different groups of immunocompromised individuals.
  • To determine the relationship between CMV pp65 antigen levels and the degree of immune deficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 67 immunocompromised patients.
  • Inclusion of HIV-infected, hematological malignancy, and kidney transplant patients.
  • Measurement of CMV pp65 antigenemia and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts.

Main Results:

  • Comparable proportions (44-50%) of severely immunocompromised patients (< or = 200/microl) across all groups.
  • Higher prevalence of CMV pp65 antigenemia (40%) in patients with low immunity (< or = 200/microl) compared to intermediate (20%) or non-immunodeficient (22.72%) groups.
  • Significant association between low cellular immunity and high levels of CMV pp65 antigen (75% of low immunity patients).

Conclusions:

  • CMV infection occurs at a higher rate in immunocompromised patients.
  • Lower immune status (CD4+ T-lymphocyte count) is strongly associated with increased CMV pp65 antigenemia.
  • Elevated CMV pp65 antigen levels in patients with low cellular immunity suggest more severe CMV infection and poorer immune response.

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