Predictive biomarkers for cytomegalovirus reactivation before and after immunosuppressive therapy: A single-institution retrospective long-term analysis of patients with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS)/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome (DRESS)

Abstract

ObjectivesCytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation in patients with severe drug eruption on immunosuppressive therapy often leads to fulminant disease and even mortality, yet there are no biomarkers to accurately predict CMV reactivation either before or after immunosuppressive therapy. We aimed to assess whether patients who develop CMV reactivation (CMV-positive cases) have distinct immunological profiles from CMV-negative cases before and after immunosuppressive therapy. MethodsWe performed serial cytokine/chemokine and regulatory T cells (Tregs) assessments of 45 patients with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS)/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic syndrome (DRESS) during a follow-up period of nearly three years after onset. ResultsElevated IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-15, TNF-α, G-CSF, and MIP-1α levels at baseline were associated with later development of CMV reactivation, while after starting treatment, IL-10 and IL-15 levels were associated with the onset of CMV reactivation; the use of corticosteroids obscured the large differences in these cytokines at baseline. CMV-positive cases were found to have normal Tregs frequencies at baseline, while negative cases had elevated frequencies. Higher eotaxin, IL-10, and G-CSF levels and lower IL-12p40 levels at baseline might be used for predicting the development of lethal CMV disease. ConclusionsThe algorithm based on these results showed an accurate association with CMV reactivation.