beta-Herpesvirus (human cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6) reactivation in at-risk lung transplant recipients and in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 is a beta-herpesvirus-like human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with the potential to reactivate in immunocompromised persons. HHV-6 and HCMV were assessed in the peripheral blood leukocytes of 26 lung transplant recipients and of 37 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy, to determine the degree of concordance between HHV-6 and HCMV reactivation in different biologic settings. In the lung transplant recipients (145 samples), HHV-6 was not detected, even though 44 (30%) of 145 samples were from 9 HCMV DNA-positive patients (13 episodes of HCMV pneumonitis). Among the HIV-infected patients (172 samples), HCMV DNA was detected in 29 (17%) of 172 samples from 10 patients (4 episodes of HCMV disease). HHV-6 DNA was detected in 2 HIV-infected patients who did not have HCMV detected at that time. These findings suggest that the pathobiologic control mechanisms for these 2 beta-herpesviruses may be significantly different.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. a.michaelides@alfred.org.au
Alexandra
A
Michaelides
Eric M
EM
Glare
Denis W
DW
Spelman
Steven L
SL
Wesselingh
Jennifer F
JF
Hoy
Anne M
AM
Mijch
Thomas C
TC
Kotsimbos
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000502:physiology
D004279:DNA, Viral