Fatal human herpesvirus-6 infection after renal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 infection is common after organ transplantation; however, most cases are associated with a mild clinical course. Donor-derived infection is rare, and there are no reports of HHV-6 infection in more than one recipient from a common donor.


METHODS
We describe two patients who developed severe, and in one case fatal, HHV-6 variant A infection after renal transplantation.


RESULTS
Both patients presented with severe colitis followed by the development of liver dysfunction and cytopenia. Multiple specimens from both recipients were positive for HHV-6 polymerase chain reaction variant A. Serum and white cells from the donor were positive for HHV-6 DNA, suggesting a donor-derived infection in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We report two cases of donor-derived HHV-6 infection from the same deceased donor, resulting in a fatal outcome in one patient. Treatment with valganciclovir was successfully instigated in one patient with a full recovery from the infection.
Pilmore
Helen
H
Department of Renal Medicine, Auckland City Hospital, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand. hpilmore@adhb.govt.nz
Collins
John
J
Dittmer
Ian
I
Williams
Laurie
L
Carpenter
Logan
L
Thomas
Stephen
S
Croxson
Margaret
M
Thomas
Mark
M
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D003092:Colitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014779:Virus Replication
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral