3 research outputs found
AC. Trends in immune function assay (ImmuKnow; Cylex) results in the first year post-transplant and relationship to BK virus infection. Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation 2012; 27
Abstract Background. The ImmuKnow assay is a functional Tcell assay (TCA) that may quantify cellular immune responsiveness following renal transplantation. Using a standard protocol of TCA sampling in the first year post-transplant, we examined changes in TCA values over time and tested for an association between TCA and BK virus (BKV) infection as a marker of overimmunosuppression. Results. Nearly 40% of patients experienced a decrease in TCA of >150 ng/mL from 1 to 6 months (mean 466-356 ng/mL, P < 0.0001) and remained stable from 6 to 12 months (mean 357 versus 370 ng/mL, P ¼ 0.33). Neither a change in TCA of >150 ng/mL nor a TCA value of 225 ng/mL were associated with a diagnosis of BKV infection at 1 or 6 months, while TCA 225 ng/mL was associated with BKV infection at 12 months (P ¼ 0.005). Conclusions. A reduction in TCA from 1 to 6 months posttransplant is common and is not associated with conditions of over-immunosuppression, rendering the interpretation of changes in TCA during this time period difficult. BKV infection is associated with low TCA values at 12 months, suggesting that patients with low TCA values after 6 months may benefit from potential tailoring of immunosuppression or more aggressive monitoring to prevent subsequent BKV infection