title: Prevalence of human herpesvirus-6 chromosomal integration (CIHHV-6) in Italian solid organ and allogeneic stem cell transplant patients.
abstract: The unique phenomenon of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) chromosomal integration (CIHHV-6) may account for clinical drawbacks in transplant setting, being misinterpreted as active infection and leading to unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments. We have investigated the prevalence of CIHHV-6 in 205 consecutive solid organ (SO) and allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) Italian patients. Fifty-two (38.5%) of 135 solid organ transplant (SOT) and 16 (22.8%) of 70 alloSCT patients resulted positive for plasma HHV-6 DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Seven SOT and three alloSCT patients presented HHV-6-related diseases, requiring antivirals. Two further patients (0.9%) were identified, presenting high HHV-6 loads. The quantification of HHV-6 on hair follicles disclosed the integrated state, allowing the discontinuation of antivirals. Before starting specific treatments, CIHHV-6 should be excluded in transplant patients with HHV-6 viremia by the comparison of HHV-6 loads on different fluids and tissues. Pretransplantation screening of donors and recipients may further prevent the misdiagnosis of CIHHV-6.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Hematology and Respiratory Diseases, Section of Hematology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barozzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pecorari
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bresciani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gautheret-Dejean
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vallerini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tagliazucchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Codeluppi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Gerunda
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Narni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luppi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D019737:Transplants / Q000009:adverse effects; D014766:Viremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D016662:Virus Integration / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral