CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-SPECIFIC IN-VITRO ANTIBODY-PRODUCTION BY PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES FROM RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS WITH CMV INFECTION

Cytomegalovirus-specific in vitro antibody production (CMV-IVAP) by pe ripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was investigated in 12 renal transpla nt recipients. CMV-IVAP, CMV-serology, and viral cultures were carried out weekly during at least 8 weeks after transplantation. Nine episod es of CMV infection occurred in eight patients. CMV-IVAP was positive in eight episodes; IgG and/or IgA and/or IgM antibodies reacting with several CMV polypeptides were secreted by PBL. In two patients with pr imary CMV infection, only IgA antibodies were detected. Cytomegaloviru s cultures were positive in eight episodes and serological evidence of CMV infection was obtained in five episodes. In one case, CMV-IVAP wa s observed before CMV isolation and in another case, before serologica l evidence of CMV infection. Our study indicates that CMV-IVAP could r epresent an additional tool for the diagnosis of CMV infection. Our st udy indicates that CMV-IVAP could represent an additional tool for the diagnosis of CMV infection in renal transplant recipients. (C) 1993 W iley-Liss, Inc.