An assessment of interactions between hepatitis C virus and herpesvirus reactivation in liver transplant recipients using molecular surveillance.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been proposed to have immunomodulatory effects in transplant recipients and may promote herpesvirus reactivation. To assess this, we compared the incidence of herpesvirus reactivation in HCV-positive and HCV-negative liver transplant recipients. Quantitative viral load testing was performed at regular intervals posttransplantation for cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesviruses (HHV) 6, 7, and 8, and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in 177 liver transplant patients who were HCV-positive (n=60) or HCV-negative (n=117). The incidence of CMV disease, CMV viremia, and the peak CMV viral load was not significantly different in HCV-positive vs. HCV-negative patients. Similarly, no differences in HHV-6 or EBV reactivation were observed. HHV-8 or VZV viremia was not detected in any patient in the study. A lower incidence of HHV-7 infection occurred in HCV-positive patients vs. HCV-negative patients (47.6% vs. 72.7%; P=0.006). In conclusion, these results suggest that HCV infection does not appear to promote herpesvirus reactivation after liver transplantation.
Humar
Atul
A
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. ahumar@ualberta.ca
Washburn
Kenneth
K
Freeman
Richard
R
Paya
Carlos V
CV
Mouas
Houria
H
Alecock
Emma
E
Razonable
Raymund R
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000502:physiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies