Evaluation of cell-mediated immune response by QuantiFERON Monitor Assay in kidney transplant recipients presenting with infective complications

The net level of immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients is difficult to assess. QuantiFERON Monitor (QFM) is an in vitro diagnostic test that detects interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release in peripheral blood. The aim of our study was to compare QFM testing results in stable kidney transplant recipients and kidney transplant recipients with infection, in a single-centre cohort. We enrolled 71 kidney transplant recipients from our transplantation centre. They were divided into 2 groups according to clinical presentation (Stable kidney transplant recipients or Infection). There were no significant differences in interferon-γ release between the 2 groups (Stable kidney transplant recipients 140.59 ± 215.28 IU/ml, Infection group 78.37 ± 197.03 IU/ml, P = .24). A further analysis revealed that kidney transplant recipients presenting with bacterial infection had significantly lower IFN-γ release when compared to stable kidney transplant recipients (26.52 ± 42.46 IU/ml vs 140.59 ± 215.28 IU/ml, P = .04). Kidney transplant recipients presenting with bacterial infection had lower IFN-γ release when compared to stable kidney transplant recipients. The QFM test may be useful as a tool to help guide immunosuppression dosing in kidney transplant recipients, but further studies are required to confirm its diagnostic value.