Cell Mediated Immunity and the Prediction of CMV Infection In Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Cell Mediated Immunity and the Prediction of CMV Infection In Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cause of illness in patients who have undergone a transplant. Serious infections due to CMV can affect many parts of the body including the lungs, the gut, and the liver. Since transplant recipients are at risk for CMV or have evidence of infection with CMV, they are given an antiviral drug (usually ganciclovir or valganciclovir). Despite this, there are a chance that CMV infection may cause problems in the future. The purpose of this study is to assess how well patients'immune systems responds to the CMV virus, so that in the future it may be possible to predict which patients are at highest risk of CMV.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female patients who fulfill the following criteria are eligible for inclusion.

  • CMV D+/R- liver, kidney and heart recipient
  • CMV R+ liver,kidney and heart recipients who have received thymoglobulin induction therapy.
  • D+/R- and R+ lung transplant recipients.
  • Able to give written informed consent
  • Are willing and able to comply with the protocol
  • Age >=18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient unwilling or unable to give informed consent