Lymphoproliferative response in primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is delayed in HCMV transmitter mothers

Abstract

Background. The T cell-mediated immune response to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) after primary infection, as well as the determinants of intrauterine transmission, are poorly understood. Methods. Sequential peripheral blood leukocyte samples from 74 pregnant women and 29 nonpregnant individuals with primary infection were examined for HCMV-specific CD4+ T cells by cytokine flow cytometry (CFC) and lymphoproliferative response (LPR) analysis. Immunological results for 19 transmitter and 21 non-transmitter mothers were compared. Results. Comparison of CFC and LPR analysis results showed that (1) there was no difference between pregnant and nonpregnant individuals; (2) HCMV-specific CD4+ T cells were detected by CFC, in the absence of an LPR to HCMV, in the great majority or the totality (according to different intervals) of samples collected from both pregnant and nonpregnant individuals during follow-up; and (3) LPR to HCMV was significantly (P