A prospective survey of human herpesvirus-6 primary infection in solid organ transplant recipients

Transplantation. 2006 Oct 15;82(7):979-82. doi: 10.1097/01.tp.0000229938.12722.ee.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection is potentially life-threatening to immunosuppressed patients. There is a lack of information regarding the risk and the clinical manifestations of primary HHV-6 infection in solid-organ transplant recipients. We prospectively evaluated patients undergoing solid organ transplantation with negative immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies against HHV-6 by means of HHV-6 quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Among 193 recipients, seven were HHV-6 seronegative (prevalence 3.6%). We detected a positive HHV-6 viral load in only one patient, and four patients seroconverted after one year posttransplantation. The patient with a positive HHV-6 viral load developed cholestatic hepatitis without fever and did not experience severe end-organ disease. In conclusion, our findings show a low incidence of symptomatic primary HHV-6 infection among seronegative solid-organ transplant recipients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Transplantation
  • Pancreas Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Postoperative Complications / virology*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Spain
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents