Human beta-herpesvirus interactions in solid organ transplant recipients.
The replication of beta-herpesviruses-cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, and HHV-7-and their association with CMV disease and response to antiviral therapy were prospectively investigated in 33 liver transplant recipients not given antiviral prophylaxis. CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7 DNA were detected within 8 weeks after transplantation in 70%, 33%, and 42% of the patients, respectively. The univariate association between CMV disease and the 3 beta-herpesviruses was more significant by virus load quantitation than by qualitative detection of DNA. This association with high levels of CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7 (P<.001,.022, and.001, respectively) occurred mainly in CMV-seronegative recipients of transplants from CMV-seropositive donors. Antiviral therapy with ganciclovir (Gcv) reduced the load of CMV and HHV-6 and HHV-7. These results suggest that CMV disease in transplant recipients is related to the unique interaction of the 3 beta-herpesviruses and is ultimately reduced after intravenous Gcv treatment.
Mendez
J C
JC
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Dockrell
D H
DH
Espy
M J
MJ
Smith
T F
TF
Wilson
J A
JA
Harmsen
W S
WS
Ilstrup
D
D
Paya
C V
CV
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014779:Virus Replication
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015774:Ganciclovir