Microbiologia Medica (Jun 2011)

Evaluation of reactivation of HSV1, HHV6, CMV and EBV in a population of patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

  • Caterina Matinato,
  • Giovanna Lunghi,
  • Anna Orlandi,
  • Silvia Melotti,
  • Antonella Zoccoli,
  • Damiano Picicco,
  • Erminio Torresani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/mm.2011.2367
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 2

Abstract

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Herpes viruses are recognized as important pathogens as a result of viral reactivation in immunocompromised hosts, especially in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Objectives of this study were the assessment of the reactivation of herpes virus HSV1, HHV6, CMV and EBV and the correlation between viral reactivation and progression of transplantation in a population of patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation at Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Ca’ Granda Policlinico, Milan. Viral DNA was detected and quantified by Real Time PCR in a population of 35 patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The viral reactivation was observed in 7 patients for HSV1 (20%), 6 patients for HHV6 (17.1%), 11 patients for CMV (31.4%) and 4 patients for EBV (11.4%). Difference in the incidence of aGVDH between patients with viral reactivation versus those for which there was no reactivation was statistically significant. These data confirm the importance of monitoring viral load for the management of antiviral therapy in order to prevent CMV disease and complications related to herpes viruses reactivation.

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