title: Cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus-6, and human herpesvirus-7 in adult liver transplant recipients: diagnosis based on antigenemia.
abstract: Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, HHV-7, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) that remain latent after primary infection can be reactivated during immunosuppression following organ transplantation in liver transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to monitor active infections for HHV-6, HHV-7, and CMV among adult liver transplantation recipients using antigenemia detected by an immunoperoxidase staining. Twenty-eight adult liver transplant patients were monitored using antigenemia in blood samples obtained at the time of transplantation, as well as weekly in the first month and once a month for 6 months. Of these patients, 28.5% showed positive CMV antigenemia; 39.2%, HHV-6 antigenemia; and 14.2%, HHV-7 antigenemia. The detection of the three viruses was considered to be independent of one another (P>.05). The results described above showed that few patients remain free of beta herpesviruses after liver transplantation. Most patients were infected sequentially and not concurrently. Antigenemia has been considered useful to detect active HHV-6 and HHV-7 infections. Antigenemia can be more efficiently interpreted when compared with polymerase chain reaction results, although other studies are necessary to establish the reference of HHV-6 and HHV-7 antigenemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Thomasini
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Guardia
authors.forename: R S B
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stucchi
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: S C B
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: I F S F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Boin
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015415:Biomarkers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents