title: Human herpesvirus-6 infection after liver transplantation.
abstract: A diagnosis of posttransplantation human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection was established for eight adult recipients among a liver transplantation patient population of 121. The diagnosis was based on serology and demonstration of HHV-6 specific antigens in liver biopsy specimens with use of monoclonal antibodies and immunoperoxidase staining. A significant graft dysfunction was recorded in association with serodiagnosis. HHV-6 early antigens, as well as HHV-6 variant B antigens, were detected retrospectively in all six available liver biopsy specimens. Histologic examination of biopsy specimens demonstrated acute rejection in 5 of the 8 patients, and 3 patients had portal lymphocyte infiltration. In five cases cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was associated with HHV-6 infection; in four cases CMV antigens were also detected in the biopsy specimens. Two patients who had pure HHV-6 infection without CMV infection or rejection had significantly impaired graft function, with a positive antigen-detection test. Thus, HHV-6 may infect the liver allograft and cause graft dysfunction and may possibly be associated with rejection and/or CMV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Höckerstedt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Linnavuori
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taskinen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral