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Four cases of human herpesvirus 6 variant B infection after pediatric liver transplantation
T Yoshikawa1, M Ihira, H Furukawa
1Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
Background:
Little is known about human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 infection after liver transplantation. We present our experiences with four cases of HHV-6 infection after liver transplantation from living related donors.
Methods:
Peripheral blood was collected from four donor and recipient pairs at the time of transplantation and biweekly from the recipients after transplantation. We attempted to isolate HHV-6 and measure antibody titers to HHV-6 and HHV-7.
Results:
HHV-6 was isolated from four recipients approximately 2 weeks after transplantation. A significant rise in HHV-6 antibody titers was observed in four recipients at some point in their course, whereas HHV-7 antibody titers were increased in one recipient. Four isolates were variant B. When HHV-6 was isolated, all recipients had an unexplained fever.
Conclusions:
HHV-6 variant B infection after pediatric liver transplantation was confirmed. HHV-6 infection occurred approximately 2 weeks after transplantation. Moreover, there appears to be an association between HHV-6 infection and unexplained fever.