Dextramer CMV kit

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an herpes virus that infects 50-85% of the adult population and remains latent in healthy individuals through control by the presence of CMV-specific T cells. Reactivation of CMV is a frequently occurring complication of immunosuppresion in transplant patients and can significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality if the virus is not controlled.

The development of T cell immunity has been shown to be associated with decreased risk of CMV viremia and disease after transplantation.

Dextramer® CMV Kit is intended for the identification and enumeration of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+ T cells in whole blood by flow cytometry.

CMV Dextramers comprise dextran polymer backbone carrying multiple MHC-peptide complexes. The detection of CD8 CMV-specific cells requires recognition of the T-cell receptor (TCR) by a unique combination of a MHC class I molecule coupled with a CMV-specific peptide. CMV-specific TCR’s on the surface of CD8+ T cells are recognized by CMV Dextramers.