Association of human herpesvirus 7 with cytomegalovirus disease in renal transplant recipients.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have linked human herpesviruses 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) with posttransplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease.


METHODS
Thirty-seven renal transplant recipients were monitored weekly for CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7 DNA and serological responses for 12 weeks after transplantation. Plasma CMV load and the occurrence of CMV disease was related to HHV-6 and -7 detection.


RESULTS
CMV disease was identified in 12 patients. In a logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with CMV disease were the detection of HHV-7 DNA in peripheral blood leucocytes and donorrecipient CMV serostatus. Patients with detectable HHV-7 DNA had significantly higher peak plasma CMV loads (P=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
An association was found between HHV-7, but not HHV-6, DNA detection and CMV disease, suggesting a possible role of HHV-7 in its pathogenesis.
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Liverpool and Renal Transplant Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, United Kingdom. cywtong@liv.ac.uk
C Y
CY
Tong
A
A
Bakran
H
H
Williams
C Y
CY
Cheung
J S
JS
Peiris
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral