Herpes Virus Infection in Lung Transplantation: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention Strategies
Filippo Patrucco,
Antonio Curtoni,
Francesca Sidoti,
Elisa Zanotto,
Alessandro Bondi,
Carlo Albera,
Massimo Boffini,
Rossana Cavallo,
Cristina Costa,
Paolo Solidoro
Affiliations
Filippo Patrucco
Respiratory Diseases Unit, Medical Department, AOU Maggiore della Carità di Novara, Corso Mazzini 18, 28100 Novara, Italy
Antonio Curtoni
Division of Virology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Francesca Sidoti
Division of Virology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Elisa Zanotto
Division of Virology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Alessandro Bondi
Division of Virology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Carlo Albera
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Massimo Boffini
Cardiac Surgery Division, Surgical Sciences Department, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Rossana Cavallo
Division of Virology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Cristina Costa
Division of Virology, Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Paolo Solidoro
Division of Respiratory Medicine, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Lung transplantation is an ultimate treatment option for some end-stage lung diseases; due to the intense immunosuppression needed to reduce the risk of developing acute and chronic allograft failure, infectious complications are highly incident. Viral infections represent nearly 30% of all infectious complications, with herpes viruses playing an important role in the development of acute and chronic diseases. Among them, cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, being associated with an increased risk of chronic lung allograft failure. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is associated with transformation of infected B cells with the development of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs). Similarly, herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus and human herpesviruses 6 and 7 can also be responsible for acute manifestations in lung transplant patients. During these last years, new, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests have been developed, and preventive and prophylactic strategies have been studied aiming to reduce and prevent the incidence of these viral infections. In this narrative review, we explore epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment options for more frequent herpes virus infections in lung transplant patients.
