Respiratory virus infections in adult T cell-depleted transplant recipients: The role of cellular immunity

Background. Little is known about the role of cellular immunity in respiratory virus infections after bone marrow transplantation. Methods. Forty allograft recipients T-cell depleted with Campath antibodies were evaluated for respiratory virus infections in an active surveillance program with early initiation of antiviral therapy. Results. Eighteen episodes of respiratory virus infection were detected in nine patients (22%) at a median of 95 days, with lower respiratory involvement in 44%. Fourteen episodes were treated with antiviral therapy for 7 to 46 days, with 11% mortality. Respiratory virus infections were more common in patients receiving Campath 100 mg in vivo, but delayed CD4(+) recovery was the most significant risk factor. Conclusions. Respiratory virus infections are common and often recurrent in patients with severe CD4(+) T lymphopenia. However, the mortality was low, which may have been due to early institution of antiviral treatment or reduced inflammatory damage to the lungs due to severe lymphopenia.