Beta herpes viruses in patients with cutaneous graft-versus-host disease

Abstract

Graft-versus-host disease is a major complication of allogenic bone marrow transplantation. Beta herpes viruses’ role in pathogenesis and prognosis of graft-versus-host disease is significant. Objective: To study beta herpes viruses evidence in skin biopsy specimens in graft-versus-host disease patients. Material and methods: Clinical features of 50 patients with cutaneous graft-versus-host disease were examined. Cytomegalovirus and human herpes virus 6 DNA detection in skin biopsy specimens was performed by PCR. Results: Correlation between human herpes virus 6 and poor prognosis in graft-versus-host disease patients has been found. Conclusion: Beta herpes virus detection after allogenic bone marrow transplantation could be important in prognosis of graft-versus-host disease.

Keywords

• cutaneous graft-versus-host disease
• beta herpes viruses
• cytomegalovirus
• human herpes virus 6