Influenza B in transplant patients.
Six cases of influenza B occurred in transplanted patients in a period of 3 weeks. Three renal allograft recipients recovered within 5 days without antiviral therapy. Two allogeneic bone marrow recipients were treated with ribavirin inhalations during the leukopenic phase. Treatment was given until influenza B was no longer detected and fever disappeared after 5 and 6 days, respectively. Engraftment was not delayed and no side-effects were noted. One recipient of autologous marrow was treated for 2 days, but ribavirin was discontinued due to pleuritic pain. We conclude that influenza B can be spread by asymptomatic carriers in the nursing staff and in spite of reversed isolation with the use of gown, hand wash and gloves.
Aschan
J
J
Department of Transplantation Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ringdén
O
O
Ljungman
P
P
Andersson
J
J
Lewensohn-Fuchs
I
I
Forsgren
M
M
D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012263:Ribonucleosides / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012263:Ribonucleosides; D012254:Ribavirin