Hepatitis due to human herpesvirus 6B after hematopoietic cell transplantation and a review of the literature.
Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with a growing number of complications in immunocompromised patients. Multiple reports of HHV-6B-associated hepatitis following primary HHV-6 infection and liver transplantation have appeared, but this has only been well documented in 1 patient after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This report describes a case of acute hepatitis likely caused by HHV-6B in an HCT recipient who was successfully treated with ganciclovir. HHV-6B DNA was demonstrated in plasma and hepatic tissue using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical stains. Chromosomal integration was ruled out. We review the literature reporting HHV-6B-associated hepatitis, which may be an underappreciated cause of liver disease after HCT.
Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA; Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
J A
JA
Hill
D
D
Myerson
R H
RH
Sedlak
K R
KR
Jerome
D M
DM
Zerr
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000821:virology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir
HHV-6B; HHV6B; hepatitis; herpesvirus; liver; transplant