A Prospective Study of Cytomegalovirus-Specific Cell-Mediated Immune Monitoring and Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients With Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Receiving Immunosuppressants

BACKGROUND: The effects of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) on CMV infection in patients with autoimmune diseases receiving immunosuppressants have not been explored. METHODS: Patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were preemptively monitored for clinically significant CMV infection (CsCMVI; defined as plasma CMV DNA loads >3 log10 IU/mL). CMV-specific CMI was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (QuantiFERON-CMV [QF]) before as well as 1 and 3 months after intense immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: The study included 55 patients with active SLE; patients were a mean age (SD) of 34 (13) years and had a median SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 score (SD) of 14 (8), and 93% were female. Most patients had renal involvement (67%), received methylprednisolone (93%), and were CMV-seropositive (95%). Thirteen (23.6%) patients developed CsCMVI. Among patients with active SLE who were QF-negative (QF–) and QF-positive (QF+) before receiving immunosuppressive therapy, 28.6% and 25% developed CsCMVI, respectively (P = .69). However, 1 month postimmunosuppression, more QF– than QF+ patients developed CsCMVI (44.4% vs 11.8%; P = .03; adjusted hazard ratio, 4.97; 95% CI, 1.07–23.10; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with active SLE and low CMV-specific T-cell responses could develop CMV infection after receiving immunosuppressants. Further studies should focus on CMV-specific CMI among patients with autoimmune diseases.