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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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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 in transplantation: an emerging pathogen
1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|June 15, 1996
Summary
Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is an opportunistic pathogen in transplant recipients, causing bone marrow suppression and other diseases. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial as HHV-6 is susceptible to antiviral agents.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Transplant Medicine
Background:
- Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is an opportunistic pathogen in transplant recipients.
- HHV-6 infection is common in bone marrow and solid organ transplant recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize epidemiologic and clinical aspects of HHV-6 infection in transplant recipients.
- To review the immunologic basis of HHV-6 pathogenicity.
- To outline management strategies for HHV-6 infection in transplant recipients.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of English-language articles from 1986 to present.
- MEDLINE search, bibliography review, and textbook analysis.
- Manual abstraction and summarization of data on HHV-6 virology, epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment.
Main Results:
- HHV-6 infection rates of 38%-60% in bone marrow and 31%-55% in solid organ transplant recipients.
- Variant B is the predominant strain in transplant recipients.
- Common clinical manifestations include bone marrow suppression, pneumonitis, and encephalitis.
- HHV-6 can impair cell-mediated immunity, increasing risk of superinfections.
- HHV-6 is resistant to acyclovir but sensitive to ganciclovir and foscarnet.
Conclusions:
- HHV-6 is a significant pathogen in transplant recipients.
- Early detection is vital due to susceptibility to antiviral therapies.
- Further research needed on clinical spectrum, immunologic effects, and prophylaxis.
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