[Human herpesvirus-6 infection and hepatitis following heart transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) has been implicated in hepatitis and HHV-6 infections have been reported in patients receiving heart transplants. We investigated the occurrence of such infections and their possible relation with post-transplantation hepatitis in 58 heart transplanted patients.


METHODS
The titre of HHV-6 antibodies was determined by anticomplement immunofluorescence assay and compared with the titre of CMV antibodies determined by using ELISA.


RESULTS
HHV-6 seroprevalence after transplantation did not differ significantly between hepatitis, control patients (without hepatitis) and the healthy general population. In three controls and five hepatitis patients we observed, after transplantation, a seroconversion or a significant increase of antibody titre which suggested active HHV-6 infection. In six cases, HHV-6-specific IgM were found whereas CMV-specific IgM were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that HHV-6 infection is frequent after heart transplantation but not in relation with hepatitis. The mechanism of this infection needs to be clarified (either primo-infection or reactivation) and the question remains whether this infection is totally asymptomatic or could induce serious illness.
Laboratoire de Bactériologie-Virologie, CNRS EP 57, CERVI, Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris.
C
C
Robert
H
H
Agut
F
F
Lunel-Fabiani
P
P
Leger
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral
Infection à herpèsvirus humain-6 et hépatite chez les transplantés cardiaques.