Lymphotropic herpesviruses in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Hematology
• Immunology

Background:

• Human herpesviruses (HHV-6, HHV-7, EBV, CMV) are common in BMT patients.
• The impact of these viruses on engraftment and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence and timing of HHV-6, HHV-7, EBV, and CMV DNA in BMT recipients.
• To investigate the association between these viral infections and engraftment or aGVHD.
• To evaluate the effect of acyclovir (ACV) prophylaxis on HHV-6 reactivation.

Main Methods:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect viral DNA in leukocytes from 37 allogeneic BMT patients.
• Viral DNA was assayed repeatedly before and after BMT.
• Statistical analyses, including Fisher's exact test, were employed.

Main Results:

• Post-BMT, HHV-6, HHV-7, EBV, and CMV DNA were detected in 70%, 57%, 76%, and 57% of patients, respectively.
• HHV-6 variant B DNA was associated with delayed granulocyte and platelet engraftment (P = .04 and P = .001).
• High-dose ACV prophylaxis significantly reduced HHV-6 positivity (P < .01).

Conclusions:

• HHV-6 variant B reactivation can inhibit marrow engraftment post-BMT.
• High-dose ACV may improve engraftment by preventing HHV-6 reactivation.
• No significant association was found between HHV-7, EBV, CMV, and engraftment or aGVHD.