Abstract
Herpesviruses are common components of the human microbiome that become clinically relevant when a competent immunosurveillance is compromised, such as in transplantation. Members of the beta and gamma subfamilies are associated with a wide diversity of pathologies, including end-organ disease and cancer. In this study, we developed a multiplex qPCR technique with high specificity, sensitivity, efficiency and predictability that allowed the simultaneous detection and quantification of beta and gamma human herpesviruses. The technique was tested in a cohort of 34 kidney- or liver-transplanted pediatric patients followed up for up to 12 months post-transplant. Viral load was determined in 495 leukocyte-plasma paired samples collected bi-weekly or monthly. Human herpesvirus (HHV) 7 was the herpesvirus most frequently found in positive samples (39%), followed by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (20%). Also, EBV and HHV7 were present in the majority of coinfection episodes (62%). The share of positive samples exclusively detected either in leukocytes or plasma was 85%, suggesting that these herpesviruses tended to take a latent or lytic path in an exclusive manner. Infection by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and HHV6, as well as coinfection by EBV/HHV7 and EBV/HHV6/HHV7, were associated with graft rejection (RR = 40.33 (p = 0.0013), 5.60 (p = 0.03), 5.60 (p = 0.03) and 17.64 (p = 0.0003), respectively). The routine monitoring of beta and gamma herpesviruses should be mandatory in transplant centers to implement preventive strategies.
Highlights
Herpesviruses are common human residents that in most cases cause asymptomatic infection in immunocompetent people
Some reports about herpesvirus coinfections suggest a joint role influencing the course of different malignancies, such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, primary effusion lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma [3,4,5]
We investigated whether the patient had been diagnosed with allograft rejection according the presence/absence of infection for every samplewere of every patient
Summary
Herpesviruses are common human residents that in most cases cause asymptomatic infection in immunocompetent people. In immunocompromised individuals such as those with pharmacological immunosuppression after organ or tissue transplantation, both primary and recurrent herpesvirus reactivation can cause a plethora of clinical effects. These clinical complications range from mild febrile episodes to end-organ disease or aggressive lymphomas and sarcomas [2]. Cooperative coinfections have been described for EBV and HIV, Plasmodium falciparum and Helicobacter pylori [6,7] These studies support the hypothesis of a potential viral communication among herpesviruses, which could synergize their pathogenic effects. We analyzed the association of infections and coinfections detected with graft rejection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
