Longitudinal analysis of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B (gB)-specific and neutralizing antibodies in AIDS patients either with or without cytomegalovirus end-organ disease

Serum neutralizing and glycoprotein B (gB)‐specific antibody levels were monitored prospectively in AIDS patients who either did or did not develop human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) end‐organ disease, to delineate further the role of antibodies in protecting against HCMV disease. Antibody levels declined substantially (at least 4‐fold) only in patients who developed HCMV disease; this decline in turn occurred concurrently with antigenemia. Nevertheless, AIDS patients who remained free of HCMV disease and did not become antigenemic during the follow‐up period maintained stable levels of serum antibodies, with only minor fluctuations. The impact of HAART on the levels of functional anti‐HCMV antibodies was investigated in a number of AIDS patients. Serum levels and kinetics of gB and neutralizing antibodies did not differ significantly between patients who responded biologically and virologically to therapy and those who failed to respond. In addition, CD4 + cell counts and HIV viral RNA levels did not correlate with anti‐HCMV antibody titers. J. Med. Virol. 64:35–41, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.