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.