[Transplantation associated alpha herpes virus infection]

Immunosuppression after organ or bone marrow transplantation changes its severity with the time lapse. After bone marrow transplantation, HSV infection occurs in early period and VZV infection, in intermediate period. Aciclovir prophylaxis is effective for preventing HSV in early period and also for elevating the compliance of drug intake. It delays onset of VZV infection on the other hand. VZV infection is usually very severe if it is occurred early, before 100 days after transplant. There was some case of VZV infection with severe abdominal pain without any skin involvement. The incidence of VZV infection in bone marrow recipients was 29%. Even in stable period it caused considerable mental problems in some patient.