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Review
. 2011 Aug;24(4):333-43.
doi: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e3283480440.

Changing epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and solid organ transplant recipients

Christian Renaud  1 , Angela P Campbell
Affiliations
Review

Changing epidemiology of respiratory viral infections in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients and solid organ transplant recipients

Christian Renaud et al. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2011 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose of review: New respiratory viruses have been discovered in recent years and new molecular diagnostic assays have been developed that improve our understanding of respiratory virus infections. This article will review the changing epidemiology of these viruses after hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation.

Recent findings: Respiratory viruses are frequently detected in transplant recipients. A number of viruses have been newly discovered or emerged in the last decade, including human metapneumovirus, human bocavirus, new human coronaviruses and rhinoviruses, human polyomaviruses, and a new 2009 pandemic strain of influenza A/H1N1. The potential for these viruses to cause lower respiratory tract infections after transplantation varies, and is greatest for human metapneumovirus and H1N1 influenza, but appears to be limited for the other new viruses. Acute and long-term complications in hematopoietic and solid organ transplant recipients are active areas of research.

Summary: Respiratory viral infections are frequently associated with significant morbidity following transplantation and are therefore of great clinical and epidemiologic interest. As new viruses are discovered, and more sensitive diagnostic methods are developed, defining the full impact of emerging respiratory viruses in transplant recipients must be elucidated by well designed clinical studies.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Cumulative incidence of first respiratory virus infection episodes in 215 allogeneic HCT recipients
At 100 days post-transplantation, the cumulative incidence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were 22.3% (16.5–28.1%) for HRVs;11.1% (6.7– 15.4%) for HCoVs; 6.5% (3.1–10.0%) for RSV and PIV (1, 2, 3 or 4); 5.5% (2.3–8.6%) for HAdV, 2.6% (0.3–4.8%) for influenza A or B; and 1.5% (0–3.1%) for HMPV. HRV – Human rhinoviruses, HCoV– Human coronaviruses, RSV – Respiratory syncytial virus, PIV – Parainfluenza virus, HAdV – Human adenoviruses, Flu – Influenza, HMPV – Human metapneumovirus
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