Cytomegalovirus Role in Inducing Rejection Reactions in Heart Transplantation

Abstract

The study was performed on 45 patients with heart transplantation out of which 30 presented serologic cytomegalovirus infection. For histological study we used: hematoxylin eosin, van Gieson, Masson's trichrome, green methyl pironin stains. Immunohistochemistry was performed using ABC technique (avidin - biotin complexes or avidin - biotin) with the following monoclonal antibodies: CD8, CD4, CD20, CD68, CD31, CD45 RO, HLA-DR, and E13. In many of our cases cytomegalovirus infection was commonly associated with acute rejection. The presence of endothelial cells expressing HLA-DR antigens and subendothelial accumulation of activated T lymphocytes and macrophages, often in contact with endothelial cells, highlights the role of cellular immunity in the production of accelerated atherosclerosis lesions.