Cytomegalovirus, Human Herpesvirus-6, and Human Herpesvirus-7 in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients: Diagnosis Based on Antigenemia

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 1357 - 1359
• Main Authors: Sampaio, A.M, Thomasini, R.L, Guardia, A.C, Stucchi, R.S.B, Rossi, C.L, Costa, S.C.B, Boin, I.F.S.F
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.05.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antigens, Viral - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; Brazil; Cytomegalovirus - immunology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - diagnosis; Cytomegalovirus Infections - immunology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - virology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Herpesvirus 6, Human - immunology; Herpesvirus 7, Human - immunology; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunosuppressive Agents - adverse effects; Infectious diseases; Liver Transplantation - adverse effects; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Roseolovirus Infections - diagnosis; Roseolovirus Infections - immunology; Roseolovirus Infections - virology; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Time Factors; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Viral diseases; Virus Activation - drug effects; Brazil; Human; Opportunistic infection; Digestive system; Viremia; Herpesviridae; Liver; Transplantation; Homotransplantation; Betaherpesvirinae; Blood; Human cytomegalovirus; Infection; Virus; Antigen; Medicine; Human herpesvirus 7; Treatment; Surgery; Viral disease; Adult; Graft; Diagnosis; Human herpesvirus 6
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.03.062

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.