509. Role of cell-mediated immune monitoring using Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Spot Assay to predict CMV infection within six months after kidney transplantation

Abstract

Abstract Background CMV infection can cause substantial morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant (KT) recipients due to an impairment in cell-mediated immunity (CMI) from immunosuppressive drugs. We investigated the role of CMI monitoring prior to and after transplant to predict CMV infection after KT. Methods A prospective study was performed between December 2020 and December 2021. All adult KT recipients underwent CMI measurement by investigating IFN-γ-producing T cells using enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISpot) assay before and one month post-transplant. The incidence of CMV infection within six months after transplant was reported, and predictors of CMV infection were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazard model. Results We included 93 KT recipients with a mean (SD) age of 44 (11) years; 59.1% were male, and 98.9% were CMV seropositivity. Twenty-two (23.7%) participants received anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) for induction therapy. A median (IQR) of IFN-γ-producing T cells measured one month after transplant was significantly lower compared to before transplant (148 [54-389] vs. 763 [409-1,067] SFUs per 2.5 x 105 PBMCs, p < 0.001). Forty (42.9%) KT recipients who developed CMV infection appeared to have significantly less IFN-γ-producing T cells compared to those did not develop CMV infection (47.1%) (115 [33-237] vs. 238[76-492] SFUs/2.5x105 PBMCs, p=0.019). In univariate analysis, predictors for CMV infection included higher panel-reactive antibody (HR 1.02 [95%CI, 1.01-1.03], p< 0.001), receiving ATG for induction therapy (HR 3.45 [95%CI, 1.82-6.56], < 0.001) and lack of CMI one month after transplant defined as IFN-γ-producing T-cells of < 250 SFUs/2.5x105 PBMCs (HR 3.11 [95%CI, 1.36-7.10], p=0.007). In multivariate analysis, lack of CMI one month after transplant is the only predictor which remained independently associated with CMV infection (HR 3.1 [95%CI 1.2-7.80], p=0.019) (Table 1). Conclusion KT recipients with low IFN-γ-producing T cell responses are more likely to develop CMV infection post-transplant. Quantification of CMI using ELISpot assay could potentially predict those at risk of CMV infection after KT. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.