Maria Grazia Capretti1, Concetta Marsico1, Angela Chiereghin2, Liliana Gabrielli3, Arianna Aceti1, Tiziana Lazzarotto2. 1. Neonatal Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St.Orsola Polyclinic, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 2. Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Specialized, Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, St.Orsola Polyclinic, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 3. Operative Unit of Clinical Microbiology, St.Orsola Polyclinic, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8 + T-cell responses can be detected early in fetal life, but their role in the manifestations of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection remains largely unknown. METHODS: CMV-specific CD8 + T-cell responses were assessed in neonates with cCMV using QuantiFERON®-CMV assay, within day 14 of life (T0) and during the second month of life (T1). Detection and quantification of CMV DNA in whole blood and urine samples were performed at both time points. QuantiFERON®-CMV results were evaluated in relation to timing of maternal infection, clinical manifestations of cCMV and CMV DNA levels. RESULTS: Thirty neonates were enrolled (10/30 [33%] symptomatic; 20/30 [67%] asymptomatic). At T0 16/30 (53%) subjects had a reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV result and 16/16 (100%) were asymptomatic, whereas 14/30 (47%) had a nonreactive or indeterminate QuantiFERON®-CMV result and 4/14 (29%) were asymptomatic. At T1, 17/29 (59%) subjects had a reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV result, and 17/17 (100%) were asymptomatic, whereas 12/29 (41%) had a nonreactive or indeterminate result and 3/12 (25%) were asymptomatic. At both T0 and T1 reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV results correlated with lack of symptoms (P = .0001). At T1 median CMV DNAemia was lower in subjects with reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV results as compared with subjects with nonreactive or indeterminate results (1.82 log IU/mL [1.82-2.89] vs 2.55 log IU/mL [1.82-4.42], P = .009). No correlation was found between QuantiFERON®-CMV results and gestational age at maternal infection nor with urine CMV DNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: A detectable CMV-specific CD8 + T-cell response, evaluated using the QuantiFERON®-CMV assay, correlates with the lack of CMV-related symptoms and the control of CMV DNAemia.
BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8 + T-cell responses can be detected early in fetal life, but their role in the manifestations of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection remains largely unknown. METHODS: CMV-specific CD8 + T-cell responses were assessed in neonates with cCMV using QuantiFERON®-CMV assay, within day 14 of life (T0) and during the second month of life (T1). Detection and quantification of CMV DNA in whole blood and urine samples were performed at both time points. QuantiFERON®-CMV results were evaluated in relation to timing of maternal infection, clinical manifestations of cCMV and CMV DNA levels. RESULTS: Thirty neonates were enrolled (10/30 [33%] symptomatic; 20/30 [67%] asymptomatic). At T0 16/30 (53%) subjects had a reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV result and 16/16 (100%) were asymptomatic, whereas 14/30 (47%) had a nonreactive or indeterminate QuantiFERON®-CMV result and 4/14 (29%) were asymptomatic. At T1, 17/29 (59%) subjects had a reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV result, and 17/17 (100%) were asymptomatic, whereas 12/29 (41%) had a nonreactive or indeterminate result and 3/12 (25%) were asymptomatic. At both T0 and T1 reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV results correlated with lack of symptoms (P = .0001). At T1 median CMV DNAemia was lower in subjects with reactive QuantiFERON®-CMV results as compared with subjects with nonreactive or indeterminate results (1.82 log IU/mL [1.82-2.89] vs 2.55 log IU/mL [1.82-4.42], P = .009). No correlation was found between QuantiFERON®-CMV results and gestational age at maternal infection nor with urine CMV DNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: A detectable CMV-specific CD8 + T-cell response, evaluated using the QuantiFERON®-CMV assay, correlates with the lack of CMV-related symptoms and the control of CMV DNAemia.
Authors: Ann-Christin Tallarek; Christopher Urbschat; Luis Fonseca Brito; Stephanie Stanelle-Bertram; Susanne Krasemann; Giada Frascaroli; Kristin Thiele; Agnes Wieczorek; Nadine Felber; Marc Lütgehetmann; Udo R Markert; Kurt Hecher; Wolfram Brune; Felix Stahl; Gülsah Gabriel; Anke Diemert; Petra Clara Arck Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2021-06-03 Impact factor: 7.561