Human herpesvirus 6 infection in transplantation

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is ubiquitous in the human population and causes exanthem subitum, a benign disease seen in infancy. The virus remains latent in the body after primary infection, and reactivates in immunocompromised patients. Infection occurs in nearly half of all bone marrow or solid organ transplant recipients 2-3 weeks following the procedure. It has been suggested that the viral infection and activation result in clinical symptoms including fever, skin rash, pneumonia, bone marrow suppression, encephalitis, and rejection. In order to control the viral infection, several studies investigating the route of viral transmission and diagnostic procedures have been carried out.