RT Journal Article T1 Impact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. A1 Molina-Ortega, A A1 Martin-Gandul, C A1 Mena-Romo, J D A1 Rodriguez-Hernandez, M J A1 Suñer, M A1 Bernal, C A1 Sanchez, M A1 Sanchez-Cespedes, J A1 Perez Romero, P A1 Cordero, E K1 CMV K1 CMV-specific immune response K1 Cytomegalovirus infection K1 Replication episodes K1 Serological status K1 Solid organ transplantation AB Although solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with pretransplant serology for cytomegalovirus (CMV-R+) are considered at intermediate risk for CMV infection post transplantation, CMV infection remains a major cause of morbidity in this population. We prospectively characterized whether having pretransplant CMV-specific cellular immunity is independently associated with controlling infection after transplantation in R + SOT recipients. A prospective cohort of consecutive R + SOT recipients that received pre-emptive treatment for CMV infection was monitored after transplantation and variables were recorded during the follow-up. The cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell immune response was characterized by intracellular cytokine staining and viral loads determined using real-time PCR. One hundred and thirty-five R + SOT recipients were included (67 kidney, 64 liver, four liver-kidney). Only one-third of the patients (42; 31.85%) had CMV-specific T-cell immunity (CD8+CD69+INF-γ+ T cells >0.25%) before transplantation. Patients with negative pretransplant immunity had more CMV infection (49, 52.7% vs. 15, 35.7%; p 0.07) and received more antiviral therapy than those with immunity (32, 34.4% vs. 6, 14.3%, p 0.016). Having CMV specific immunity was an independent factor for protection from developing viraemia ≥2000 IU/mL (OR 0.276, 95% CI 0.105-0.725, p 0.25%) before transplantation. Patients with negative pretransplant immunity had more CMV infection (49, 52.7% vs. 15, 35.7%; p 0.07) and received more antiviral therapy than those with immunity (32, 34.4% vs. 6, 14.3%, p 0.016). Having CMV specific immunity was an independent factor for protection from developing viraemia ≥2000 IU/mL (OR 0.276, 95% CI 0.105-0.725, p  Our results show that having a pretransplant CMV specific T-cell response may be associated with a lower rate of CMV viraemia and less antiviral treatment after transplantation; however, more prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. PB Elsevier Ltd YR 2018 FD 2018-10-05 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13037 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13037 LA en NO Molina-Ortega A, Martín-Gandul C, Mena-Romo JD, Rodríguez-Hernández MJ, Suñer M, Bernal C, et al. Impact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 Jun;25(6):753-758. DS RISalud RD Apr 8, 2025