Th1-type cytokines production is decreased in kidney transplant recipients with active cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication after kidney transplantation. Despite antiviral therapy the infection contributes significantly to high morbidity. The present study was aimed at determining: (a) the stimulation index (S.I.) of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and (b) the levels of Th1- and Th2- related cytokines in kidney transplant recipients with and without active CMV infection. Thirty-five patients with, and 44 without active CMV infections, as diagnosed by a CMV antigenemia assay, were inducted into this study. After PHA stimulation of PBMC from patients, stimulation index (S.I.) was determined by radioactive thymidine uptake while the production of Th1-type cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2], interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PBMC of patients with active CMV infection showed significantly lower S.I. values than patients without an ongoing CMV infection (P <.0001). Levels of Th2-type cytokines in CMV-infected and uninfected kidney recipients were similar; however, the levels of the Th1-type cytokines were significantly lower in CMV-infected patients. Low levels of Th1-type cytokines seem to correlate well with active CMV infection in kidney recipients.