Human herpesviruses-6, -7 and -8 in organ transplant recipients.
The newer herpesviruses are being increasingly recognized as significant opportunistic pathogens in organ transplant recipients. Published data support the role of human herpesvirus-6 as a potential cause of encephalitis and bone marrow suppression in transplant setting. An association of human herpesvirus-6 with fungal infections and cytomegalovirus infection has also been documented. Human herpesvirus-7 also appears to be an immunomodulatory agent and may facilitate the pathogenicity of cytomegalovirus. Unlike human herpesviruses -6 and -7, human herpesvirus -8 is not ubiquitous; its seroprevalence exhibits wide geographic variation. Human herpesvirus-8 has been causally associated with post-transplant Kaposi's sarcoma. The complete spectrum of pathogenicity and ultimately the effective prophylaxis and management of these viruses has yet to be fully elucidated.
Singh
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Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. nis5+@pitt.edu
D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*