Analysis of chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules in cytomegalovirus-positive renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Background: The relationship among cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the serum level of chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules is not well studied. This study aimed to assess chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules in CMV-positive Saudi renal transplant recipients. Methodology: The study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia over a 12-month period. All kidney transplant recipients who regularly attended the nephrology clinics were included (n = 150). Randomly selected age-and sex-matched individuals served as a control group (n = 158). CMV antibodies (IgG and IgM), chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules were measured using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CMV viral DNA was detected using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Of the 150 patients studied, 149 (n = 150) had detectable levels of Anti-CMV IgG antibodies (99.3%). In the control group, 113 (n = 158), blood donors had anti-CMV IgG antibodies (71.5%). Forty-one (n = 150) kidney transplant recipients were positive for anti-CMV IgM antibodies (27.3%), whereas only one (n = 158) blood donor had detectable anti-CMV IgM antibodies. All IgM positive samples contained CMV viral DNA. MCP-1, IL-8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 levels were measured using ELISA. Of those, only MCP-1 and IL-8 were detectable. Eighteen kidney transplant recipients were positive for MCP-1 (12%). All MCP-1 patients were also anti-CMV IgM positive, while 5 patients had detectable levels of IL-8 (3.3%). All these patients were CMV IgM-positive. Conclusions: The increase in chemokine levels during CMV infection may reflect a possible role for these molecules in the immunopathogenesis of CMV infection in this study population.

Parvovirus B19 antibodies and correlates of infection in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in central Nigeria

“…However, a recent study conducted in Libya, another African country, reported 61% IgG and 5% IgM antibodies in pregnant women (Elnifro et al 2009). Generally, the presence of IgG antibodies is indicative of past exposure to an antigen (prevalence), whereas IgM antibodies represent recent infection with an agent (Obeid & Alzahrani 2010).…”