Th1-type cytokines production is decreased in kidney transplant recipientswith active cytomegalovirus infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication after kidney transp lantation. Despite antiviral therapy the infection contributes significantl y to high morbidity. The present study was aimed at determining: (a) the st imulation index (S.I.) of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)stimulated peripheral blo od mononuclear cells (PBMC) and (b) the levels of Th1- and Th2- related cyt okines in kidney transplant recipients with and without active CMV infectio n. Thirty-five patients with, and 44 without active CMV infections, as diag nosed by a CMV antigenemia assay, were inducted into this study. After PHA stimulation of PBMC from patients, stimulation index (S.I.) was determined by radioactive thymidine uptake while the production of Th1-type cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2], interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], and tumor necrosis fac tor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were measured b y enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PBMC of patients with active CMV infec tion showed significantly lower S.I. values than patients without an ongoin g CMV infection (P<.0001). Levels of Th2-type cytokines in CMV-infected and uninfected kidney recipients were similar; however, the levels of the Th 1 -type cytokines were significantly lower in CMV-infected patients. Low leve ls of Th1-type cytokines seem to correlate well with active CMV infection i n kidney recipients. J. Med. Virol. 60:223-229, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.