Specific autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes for chronic varicella in a liver transplanted child.
Infections by herpesviruses may have severe complications in liver transplant patients. Although prophylactic varicella zoster virus vaccination is strongly recommended and widely applied, severe infection may still occur. We report the case of systemic chronic varicella, which developed in a liver allograft recipient, unresponsive to antiviral drug treatment, successfully treated by varicella zooster-specific CTL. Graft failure ensued, likely, because of massive cytolysis of infected hepatocytes. The patient, who was re-transplanted in the absence of signs of varicella zooster reactivation, is now well and disease free 3 yr after second liver transplant.
Melzi
Maria Luisa
ML
Liver Transplant Unit, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy. ctfpediatr@ospedaliriuniti.bergamo.it
Sonzogni
Aurelio
A
Comoli
Patrizia
P
Stroppa
Paola
P
Riva
Silvia
S
Altobelli
Monica
M
Casati
Annalia
A
Torre
Giuliano
G
Alberti
Daniele
D
Guizzetti
Michela
M
Furione
Milena
M
Spada
Marco
M
Colledan
Michele
M
Gridelli
Bruno
B
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001656:Biliary Atresia / Q000601:surgery; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012086:Reoperation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir