IL28B rs12979860 T allele protects against CMV disease in liver transplant recipients in the post-prophylaxis and late period

Assessment of the Interferon-Lambda-3 Polymorphism in the Antibody Response to COVID-19 in Older Adults Seropositive for CMV

BACKGROUND

Here, we investigated the impact of IFN-lambda-3 polymorphism on specific IgG responses for COVID-19 in older adults seropositive for CMV.

METHODS

Blood samples of 25 older adults of both sexes were obtained at three different times: during a micro-outbreak (MO) of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020; eight months after (CURE); and 30 days after the administration of the second dose of ChadOx-1 vaccine (VAC). The specific IgG for both SARS-CoV-2 and CMV antigens, neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and also the polymorphism profile for IFN-lambda-3 (rs12979860 C > T) were assessed.

RESULTS

Higher levels of specific IgG for SARS-CoV-2 antigens were found in the MO and VAC than in the CURE time-point. Volunteers with specific neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 showed better specific IgG responses for SARS-CoV-2 and lower specific IgG levels for CMV than volunteers without specific neutralizing antibodies. Significant negative correlations between the specific IgG levels for SARS-CoV-2 and CMV were found at the MO time-point, as well as in the group of individuals homozygous for allele 1 (C/C) in the MO time-point and heterozygotes (C/T) in the CURE time-point.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that both CMV seropositivity and the homozygosis for allele 1 (C/C) in IFN-lambda-3 gene can negatively impact the antibody response to COVID-19 infection and vaccination in older adults.

No Association of IFNL4 Genotype With Opportunistic Infections and Cancers Among Men With Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Infection

BACKGROUND

IFNL4 genetic variants that are strongly associated with clearance of hepatitis C virus have been linked to risk of certain opportunistic infections (OIs) and cancers, including Kaposi sarcoma, cytomegalovirus infection, and herpes simplex virus infection. As the interferon (IFN) λ family plays a role in response to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, IFNL4 genotype might affect risk for a wide range of OIs/cancers.

METHODS

We examined associations between genotype for the functional IFNL4 rs368234815 polymorphism and incidence of 16 OIs/cancers among 2310 men with human immunodeficiency virus (2038 white; 272 black) enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study during 1984-1990. Our primary analyses used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for self-reported racial ancestry to estimate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals, comparing participants with the genotypes that generate IFN-λ4 and those with the genotype that abrogates IFN-λ4. We censored follow-up at the introduction of highly effective antiretroviral therapies.

RESULTS

We found no statistically significant association between IFNL4 genotype and the incidence of Kaposi sarcoma (hazard ratio, 0.92 [95% confidence interval, .76-1.11]), cytomegalovirus infection (0.94 [.71-1.24]), herpes simplex virus infection (1.37 [.68-2.93]), or any other OI/cancer. We observed consistent results using additive genetic models and after controlling for CD4 cell count through time-dependent adjustment or restriction to participants with a low CD4 cell count.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of associations between IFNL4 genotype and these OIs/cancers provides evidence that this gene does not affect the risk of disease from opportunistic pathogens.

Evaluation of Cytomegalovirus Infections in Liver Transplant Recipients Under Universal Prophylaxis: A Single Centre Experience

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the leading viral agents that can pave the way for serious complications and organ damage in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients after transplantation. Strategies have been developed to protect at-risk patients from CMV infection following transplantation. Since more than 90% of adults in Turkey were positive for CMV IgG, universal CMV prophylaxis was applied, and the results were evaluated. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the results of universal CMV prophylaxis after liver transplantation in the long term. Methods: A total of 1,090 liver transplant patients were evaluated in terms of CMV infection in the Organ Transplantation Institute of Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey, from October 2014 to December 2019. In order to identify the CMV infections, quantitative nucleic acid amplification (QNAT) was used to detect potential CMV DNA. The cut-off value of CMV DNA was determined to be 1000 copies/mL after transplantation. Results: According to the clinical and laboratory assessments, 33 (3%) patients were diagnosed with CMV infection, and 25 (2.3%) patients were evaluated as possibly having CMV syndrome. Also, eight of the 33 patients were assessed as having end-organ CMV disease and 25 as probable CMV syndrome. In the late period following prophylaxis, CMV infection was observed in 10 (0.9%) cases. The infection rate after prophylaxis (0.9%) was lower than the infection rate (2.1%) seen during prophylaxis. Conclusions: Close clinical follow-up with CMV prophylaxis and strict monitoring of CMV DNA by determining a specific cut-off point are important in the follow-up of liver transplant patients.