At 1‐month post‐transplant, IFN‐γ‐producing T cells with <250 spot‐forming units (SFUs)/2.5 × 105 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were significantly associated with CMV infection (HR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4–7.1, p = 0.007). Here, IFNG is linked to cytomegalovirus infection.