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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
08:52

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Published on: May 27, 2011

Human herpesvirus-6 and -7 in pediatric stem cell transplantation

Helena Savolainen1, Irmeli Lautenschlager, Heli Piiparinen

  • 1Division of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Finland. helena.savolainen@hus.fi

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|February 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Human herpesvirus-6 and -7 (HHV-6/7) are common in pediatric stem cell transplant patients. While reactivations can cause symptoms like fever and rash, severe complications are rare.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Background:

  • Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and -7 (HHV-7) can reactivate during immunosuppression, leading to varied clinical manifestations.
  • Understanding the prevalence and impact of HHV-6 and HHV-7 in pediatric stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and clinical significance of HHV-6 and HHV-7 in pediatric SCT recipients.
  • To determine the association between HHV-6/7 reactivation and clinical outcomes post-transplant.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 60 pediatric SCT recipients (allogeneic and autologous grafts).
  • Detected HHV-6 and HHV-7 in blood using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigenemia assays.
  • Monitored for clinical symptoms and complications, including encephalitis.

Main Results:

  • HHV-6 and HHV-7 were frequently detected in the blood of SCT recipients.
  • No significant difference in reactivation rates between allogeneic and autologous grafts or donor types.
  • HHV-6 antigenemia correlated with fever, rash, and delayed engraftment; two cases of encephalitis occurred.

Conclusions:

  • HHV-6 and HHV-7 are common in pediatric SCT recipients, both pre- and post-transplant.
  • Prolonged reactivations are associated with clinical symptoms, but severe complications are infrequent.
  • Transient HHV-6/7 reactivations have limited clinical significance in this population.
Abstract

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