PP65 antigenemia in the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in AIDS patients

Capela RC (1), Grassi A (2), Souza LR (1)

(1) Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Amaral Carvalho Hospital, Jaú, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Cytomegalovirus causes significant morbidity and mortality in AIDS patients and those having undergone bone marrow or another transplant. PP65 antigenemia is based on detecting viral antigen in peripheral blood leukocytes through immunochemistry and by monitoring the infection in immunocompromised individuals. The present study aimed to set up this diagnostic technique in AIDS patients with active cytomegalovirus infection and verify its occurrence in the Botucatu region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Fifty patients, 35 men and 15 women aged from 24 to 69 years, were recruited from those attended at the Department of Tropical Diseases of Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, and divided into three groups according to CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and antiretroviral treatment. The control group comprised bone marrow transplant patients. Fourteen AIDS patients with low CD4+ cell counts tested positive for PP65 antigenemia, which could predict cytomegalovirus infection and indicate prophylactic treatment.

Key words: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, cytomegalovirus, pp65 antigen, laboratory diagnosis.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Amaral Carvalho Hospital in Jaú, SP, and the Blood Center of Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: August 2, 2011.

Accepted: November 3, 2011.

Abstract published online: November 3, 2011.

Full paper published online: February 28, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant n. 0312374-0) provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, under the protocol number 234/2002.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Lenice do Rosário de Souza, Departamento de Doenças Tropicais e Diagnóstico por Imagem, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP, Distrito de Rubião Júnior, s/n, Botucatu, SP, 18618-970, Brasil. Phone: +55 14 3811-6212. Fax: +55 14 3815-9898. Email: lsouza@fmb.unesp.br.