1565. Lymphocyte Subsets as Predictors of Cytomegalovirus Infection After Transplantation

Abstract

BackgroundCellular immunity plays a critical role in controlling cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after solid-organ transplantation (SOT). We correlated lymphocyte subsets with the risk and course of CMV after SOT.MethodsWe studied 130 selected kidney, heart, lung, pancreas, liver and composite tissue transplant patients who had blood samples collected for immunologic testing. We abstracted absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, and correlated them with CMV infection and disease. CMV infection was diagnosed by quantitative PCR in blood and other clinical samples, or histopathology.ResultsFifty-nine of 130 SOT patients developed CMV infection or disease. The median age was 57.5 years (IQR: 47.8–64). Gender distribution was equal. The median onset to CMV infection or disease was 10.5 months (IQR 5.5–18.7). The median ALC for the whole cohort was 565 (IQR, 310–1,083) cells/mm3. An ALC <630 cells/mm3 was correlated with CMV infection or disease (sensitivity 83%; specificity 70%). The median CD4+ T cell count for the whole cohort was 160.5 (IQR, 17.5–424.5) cells/mm3. Patients with CD4+ T cell count <196 cells/mm3 were at a higher risk of CMV infection or disease (sensitivity 88%; specificity 71%). The 59 SOT recipients with CMV infection or disease had a significantly lower median number of CD4+ T cells compared with those who did not develop CMV (29 vs. 325.5 cells/mm3, P < 0.0001). A median CD4+ T cell count <45 cells/mm3 was associated with CMV syndrome or tissue-invasive disease (sensitivity 66%; specificity 68%). Patients who had CMV relapse had significantly lower median CD4+ T cell count (9 vs. 68 cells/mm3, P = 0.005). There was no association between CD8+ T cell count and CMV infection or disease. However, T cell functional analysis was not considered in this analysis.ConclusionLower ALC and CD4+ counts, but not CD8+ T cell count, are significantly correlated with the risk and course of CMV infection and disease after SOT. These readily available clinical measures have the potential to assist in CMV disease management.Figure 1.CD4+ T cell in solid-organ recipients with and without CMV infection.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.