title: HHV-6B is frequently found in the gastrointestinal tract in kidney transplantation patients.
abstract: In immunosuppressed patients human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) reactivations are common. The aim of the study was to determine to which extent HHV-6 can be found in the gastrointestinal tract in kidney transplant recipients and in patients on chronic dialysis. The HHV-6 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) examinations were performed on gastro duodenal and colon biopsy specimens obtained from 81 kidney transplant recipients and on 46 chronic dialysis patients. The HHV-6 and CMV were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry detecting both HHV-6A and HHV-6B, and CMV-specific antigens. The HHV-6B-positive cells, were found in gastroduodenal biopsy specimens from 34% of the transplant recipients and 28% of the patients on chronic dialysis, CMV-positive cells were found in specimens from 53% of the transplant recipients and 28% of the patients on chronic dialysis. The HHV-6B positive cells were found in the colonic mucosa specimens from 36% of the transplant recipients and 22% of the patients on chronic dialysis, CMV-positive cells were found in specimens from 36% of the transplant recipients and 17% of the patients on chronic dialysis. The HHV-6B positive cells were found equally often in the gastroduodenal as in the colorectal mucosa. The HHV-6B positive cells as well as CMV positive cells were simultaneously found in every fifth of transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transplantation and Liver Surgery, and Transplant Unit Research Laboratory, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. marko.lempinen@hus.fi
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lempinen
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Halme
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arola
authors.forename: Eero
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Honkanen
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Salmela
authors.forename: Irmeli
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lautenschlager
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000821:virology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents