Detection of antibodies to pre-early nuclear antigen and immediate-early antigens in patients immunized with cytomegalovirus vaccine.

To define the role of antibody to immediate early antigens of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) in diagnosing acute infection, we studied antibody responses of adult volunteers and renal transplant candidates receiving CMV vaccine. In addition, CMV antibodies in healthy adults were determined. Antibody to pre-early nuclear antigen, one of the immediate early antigens, did not develop in all of the volunteers or renal transplant candidates receiving the vaccine. In those vaccinees who developed an antibody response, the duration of the response was variable. Antibody to pre-early nuclear antigen and immediate early antigens was also detected in some healthy adults with serological evidence of past CMV infection, but without clinical evidence of recent infection. In view of these results, antibody to immediate early antigens and specifically to pre-early nuclear antigen does not appear to be suitable for rapid diagnosis of acute CMV infection.