Beta-herpesviruses in febrile children with cancer.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of beta-herpesviruses in febrile pediatric oncology patients (n = 30), with a reference group of febrile pediatric solid-organ transplant recipients (n = 9). One (3.3%) of 30 cancer patients and 3 (33%) of 9 organ recipients were PCR positive for cytomegalovirus. Four (13%) of 30 cancer patients and 3 (33%) of 9 transplant recipients had human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) DNAemia, which was more common within 6 months of initiation of immune suppression (4 of 16 vs. 0 of 14 cancer patients; p = 0.050). HHV-6A and HHV-7 were not detected. No other cause was identified in children with HHV-6B or cytomegalovirus DNAemia. One HHV-6B-positive cancer patient had febrile disease with concomitant hepatitis. Other HHV-6B-positive children had mild "viral" illnesses, as did a child with primary cytomegalovirus infection. Cytomegalovirus and HHV-6B should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile disease in children with cancer.
Yee-Guardino
Stephanie
S
Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Gowans
Kate
K
Yen-Lieberman
Belinda
B
Berk
Pamela
P
Kohn
Debra
D
Wang
Fu-Zhang
FZ
Danziger-Isakov
Lara
L
Sabella
Camille
C
Worley
Sarah
S
Pellett
Philip E
PE
Goldfarb
Johanna
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018141:Betaherpesvirinae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014766:Viremia / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology