Immunoglobulins A, G, and M to cytomegalovirus during recurrent infection in recipients of allogenic bone marrow transplantation

Article Abstract:

A major and sometimes fatal complication of bone marrow transplantation is infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a form of herpes virus. In recurrent infection with CMV, antibodies - specifically immunoglobulins - develop and they are of three basic types: IgA, IgM, and IgG. In order to evaluate the incidence of production of these three immunoglobulins in response to recurrent CMV infection in patients who have undergone bone marrow transplant (BMT), 21 BMT patients who were CMV seropositive (i.e. had antibodies to the virus) but had not previously had CMV were studied. Seventeen patients were infected with CMV, of whom 16 secreted CMV virus in their urine. Fifteen had detectible levels of IgA, 13 had levels of IgM, and the levels of IgG quadrupled in 11 cases. The patients began to excrete virus in their urine an average of 69 days after the transplant, and while the elevated levels of IgA and IgM receded after about 14 and 30 days, respectively, the high levels of IgG tended to persist. It was also found that in the 12 patients who actually developed CMV disease, levels of IgA and IgM increased before the appearance of elevated IgG levels. The results suggest that IgA and IgM levels may be diagnostically relevant for BMT patients who have a history of recurrent CMV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Physiological aspects, Cytomegalovirus infections, Bone marrow, Bone marrow transplantation, Immunoglobulins

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Hoarseness can mean TB in kidney transplant recipients

Article Abstract:

The use of immunosuppressive drugs among renal transplant recipients have increased the incidence of opportunistic infections such as laryngeal tuberculosis in such patients. Thus, clinicians must consider laryngeal tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis for renal transplant recipients complaining of hoarseness. Two renal transplant recipients who were found to be positive for the acid-fast bacilli have responded well to tuberculosis drug therapy.

Diseases, Organ transplant recipients, Kidneys, Kidney transplantation, Immunosuppressive agents

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