List of original publications 7 Abbreviations 8 Summary 9 Review of the literature 10 1. Human cytomegalovirus 10 1.1. Virus structure and genome organization 10 1.2. Virus replication 10 1.3. Epidemiology and transmission 11 1.4. Pathogenesis 12 2. Human cytomegalovirus infections in organ transplant patients 14 2.1. Clinical manifestations 14 2.2. Prevention and treatment of HCMV disease 15 2...

The cytomegalovirus antigenemia assay remains a useful tool for monitoring reactivation among transplant recipients. In this study, we compared protocols using direct lysis of small-volume, whole blood (WB) samples vs peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL)-enriched fractions. Of 363 evaluable samples, 51 (14.0%) were positive by one or both methods. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive...

Background Immunotherapy of cancer is an emerging field with the potential to improve long-term survival. Thus far, adoptive transfer tumor-specific T cells represents effective treatment option for tumors hematological system such as lymphoma, leukemia or myeloma. However, in solid tumors, efficacy low owing immunosuppressive microenvironment, on-target/off-tumor toxicity, limited extravasatio...

We present a case of late-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) complicated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia revealed by autopsy. A 77-year-old woman had a diagnosis of UC, and received high-dose steroids and leukocytapheresis. Then she received ganciclovir because CMV-pp65 antigenemia test revealed positive which suggested systemic or colonic CMV infection. But ganciclovir was discontinued because...

Despite the clear need, progress toward a vaccine for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been slow. However, recent events have provided new interest, and several vaccine candidates are either in clinical trials or the trials are close to starting. In this issue of Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, Schleiss and colleagues show that a nonreplicating lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (rLCMV)-ve...

Active cytomegalovirus infection is not uncommon in critically ill non-immunosuppressed patients. We conducted a preliminary observational study to determine the prevalence of active cytomegalovirus infection in cardiovascular surgical patients. One hundred patients admitted to the intensive care unit following cardiovascular surgery were enrolled between January 2010 and May 2010. Four patient...

A 20-year-old man presented with elevated serum creatinine level 3 months after kidney transplantation. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 antigen was detected by indirect immunofluorescent method. Figure A shows contaminated cells in phosphorous green (× 400). Kidney needle biopsy was performed and tubulointerstitial nephritis with CMV cytopathic effects was observed on pathologic examination. No obvi...