Open AccessHHV‐6 reactivation is often associated with CMV infection in liver transplant patients
Author(s) -
Lautenschlager I.,
Linnavuori K.,
Lappalainen M.,
Suni J.,
Höckerstedt K.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
transplant international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.998
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1432-2277
pISSN - 0934-0874
DOI - 10.1111/j.1432-2277.2000.tb02058.x
Subject(s) - ganciclovir , medicine , serology , cytomegalovirus , human herpesvirus 6 , liver transplantation , immunology , herpesviridae , virus , transplantation , virology , gastroenterology , human cytomegalovirus , viral disease , antibody
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) infection has been recently reported in liver transplant patients. HHV‐6 is closely related to cytomegalo‐virus (CMV), and some interaction between the viruses has been suggested. In this study, the post‐transplant HHV‐6 antigenemia was investigated in relation to symptomatic CMV infections in adult liver transplant patients. CMV infections were diagnosed by the pp65 antigenemia test and by viral cultures. HHV‐6 infections were demonstrated by the HHV‐6 antigenemia test and by serology. Significant symptomatic CMV infection was diagnosed in 42 of 75 patients during the first 6 months after transplantation. All CMV infections were successfully treated with ganciclovir. Concurrent HHV‐6 antigenemia was detected in 21 (50%) of 42 patients with CMV infection. All HHV‐6 infections were reactivations. HHV‐6 also responded to the antiviral treatment, but with less clear effect. In conclusion, HHV‐6 reactivation is often associated with CMV infection in liver transplant patients. The results support the suggestion that CMV and HHV‐6 may have interactions.