Detection of infectious baboon cytomegalovirus after baboon-to-human liver xenotransplantation

J Virol. 2001 Mar;75(6):2825-8. doi: 10.1128/JVI.75.6.2825-2828.2001.

Abstract

Xenotransplantation is considered to be a solution for the human donor shortage. However, there is a potential risk of transmitting animal infections from the transplanted organ. The known transmissibility and clinical significance of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection after allotransplantation led us to evaluate whether baboon cytomegalovirus (BCMV) transmission could occur after a baboon-to-human liver xenotransplant. We examined serial blood samples from a baboon liver recipient and isolated replication-competent CMV-like agents on days 29, 36, and 42 after xenotransplantation. BCMV and HCMV DNAs were detected in the day 29 isolate, while only HCMV DNA was detected in the other isolates. This is the first report of detecting a replication-competent virus from a source animal after xenotransplantation and is a concern with regard to potential zoonotic transmission to others.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Cytomegalovirus / drug effects
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus / physiology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / transmission*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / veterinary
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Ganciclovir / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Monkey Diseases / transmission
  • Monkey Diseases / virology
  • Papio / virology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Transplantation, Heterologous / adverse effects*
  • Virus Replication
  • Zoonoses

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Ganciclovir