A quantitative test to measure T cell responses to CMV antigens
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A quantitative test to measure T cell responses to CMV antigens
IRAS ID
136633
Contact name
Simon Ball
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Clinical Research Office
Research summary
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that usually causes infection with no or few symptoms. By middle age at least half of the population has been infected. After infection, CMV stays in the body without causing harm. In patients who take drugs to suppress the immune system such as those used following kidney transplantation, CMV can cause disease again. This is most commonly a ‘flu like’ illness but can occasionally affect other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.
All transplant recipients and donors are screened to see whether they have had CMV. Patients who receive a transplant from a donor who has had CMV receive anti-viral drugs to prevent CMV for 3 months following transplantation because this is the period of greatest risk for it to cause a problem. There are some patients who might benefit from a longer course of treatment and some who may not but at present there is no way of knowing who they may be.The purpose of this study is to assess the use of a test that may measure how well an individual’s immune system can fight CMV. The aim of this is to predict the likelihood of CMV causing a problem in that individual. If it proves successful, in the future the test could be used to decide who requires longer or shorter periods of treatment with anti-viral medication. This could benefit everyone because those that don’t need treatment don’t get it and are saved from any possible side effects whereas those who do require treatment get it for longer and would therefore be less likely to get the disease.
The test is designed by Oxford Immunotec, a medical diagnostic company that has expertise in measuring immune responses to infection.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0745
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion