Reactivation of and primary infection with human herpesvirus 8 among solid-organ transplant recipients

J Infect Dis. 2002 May 1;185(9):1238-43. doi: 10.1086/340237. Epub 2002 Apr 9.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the causal agent of all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma, including the iatrogenic form that presents in solid-organ transplant recipients. A longitudinal study of HHV-8 seropositivity was conducted among a cohort consisting of children and adult solid-organ transplant recipients. Antibodies to HHV-8 lytic proteins were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence assay in serum samples of 100 transplant recipients. HHV-8 seropositivity increased significantly, from 5.3% before transplantation to 15.8% after transplantation (P<.01). Seropositivity was not related to the age of the patient or the type of organ transplanted. HHV-8 seroconversion occurred in both children and adult recipients. None of the seroconversion events was related to the source of the donor organ. These findings suggest that HHV-8 infection is not uncommon among both adult and children transplant recipients and that viral infection may be acquired from an outside source other than the transplanted organ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Child
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections / embryology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / etiology*
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Virus Activation*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral