ANTIBODIES AGAINST CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INDUCED EARLY ANTIGENS (CMV-EA) IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED RENAL-ALLOGRAFT RECIPIENTS

Abstract

Antibodies against cytomegalovirus-specific early antigens (CMV-EA) were followed in sera obtained from 15 immunosuppressed renal-allograft recipients. Eight patients (62 sera) showed seroconversion 47-137 days post-transplantation. Five patients (40 sera) with CMV antibodies at the moment of renal implantation all showed CMV-EA antibody rises. Two patients remained seronegative until 4 yr after transplantation. In immunosuppressed patients, antibodies against CMV-EA remained at high titers during many years (4-8 yr) after transplantation as distinct from the apparently transient nature in acutely infected previously healthy adults with CMV mononucleosis or post-perfusion syndrome. CMV-EA antibodies may reflect an active viral proliferation in the host.