QuantiFERON monitor predicts early cytomegalovirus infection and viral burden in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major cause of transplantation‐related morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the utility of the QuantiFERON monitor (QFM; Qiagen) for the prediction of early CMV infection and viral burden.MethodsQuantiFERON‐CMV (QF‐CMV; Qiagen) and QFM were measured at the post‐allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) week 4. CMV DNA was measured at every visit until post‐HSCT week 24. The QFM cutoff specific to CMV infection was established.ResultAt the post‐HSCT week 4, the QFM cutoff predicting CMV infection was 86.95 IU/mL. While QF‐CMV results at the post‐HSCT week 4 were associated with high‐level CMV infection (CMV DNA ≥ 5,000 IU/mL) but not with CMV infection (CMV DNA ≥ 500 IU/mL), QFM was associated with both CMV infection and high‐level CMV infection. Both indeterminate QF‐CMV and nonreactive QFM were associated with increased peak CMV DNA.ConclusionLow QFM is a risk factor for CMV infection and increased CMV viral loads. QFM at post‐HSCT week 4 can be utilized as an assay to predict the risk and burden of early CMV infection in HSCT recipients, in conjunction with other risk factors. image