Molecular characterization of cytomegalovirus based on glycoprotein B and N among solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients in Jordan

Rabaa Y Alathamneh; Manal Omar; Maher Obeidat; Lo’ai Alanagreh; Abdelrahim Alqudah; Muhannad I Massadeh

doi:10.18502/ijm.v18i1.20937

Rabaa Y Alathamneh Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
Manal Omar Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
Maher Obeidat Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Salt, Jordan
Lo’ai Alanagreh Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
Abdelrahim Alqudah Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
Muhannad I Massadeh Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i1.20937

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Glycoproteins; Glycoprotein B; Glycoprotein N; Solid organ transplantation; Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Immunocompromised host

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a prevalent member of the herpesvirus family, poses significant risks to immunocompromised patients, particularly those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or solid organ transplantation (SOT). This study aimed to assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of CMV among transplant recipients in Jordan.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study conducted at the Jordan Royal Medical Service's Virology Department from January to October 2024, included all patients who underwent HSCT or SOT. Blood samples collected in EDTA tubes were analyzed for CMV detection and genotyping. Real-time PCR facilitated CMV amplification, while multi- plex nested PCR identified gB and gN genotypes.

Results: Among 80 transplant recipients with positive CMV DNA, 15 (18.8%) were from SOT kidney transplants (KT), and 65 (81.2%) were HSCT recipients. Genotype analysis of 44 samples revealed that 21 had the gN genotype and 27 had the gB genotype. Mixed genotypes gB and gN were present in 15 samples. The mixed genotype gN1+gN2 (42.86%) was most common in KT recipients, while gB2 (31%) was prevalent among HSCT recipients.

Conclusion: CMV is a common opportunistic virus that often leads to severe, life-threatening illness and is associated with an increased risk of transplant rejection. Our study demonstrated that the most prevalent genotypes in Jordanian HSCT and SCT recipients with CMV infection were gB2 and gN1+gN2, respectively.د