Abstract
Background. During primary infection, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) may become integrated into the chromosome. This entity, termed chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (CIHHV-6), is often mistaken as active infection and treated unnecessarily. The prevalence of CIHHV-6 in kidney transplant recipients is not known.Methods. We performed quantitative HHV-6 polymerase chain reaction assay on whole blood samples collected from 47 kidney recipients. CIHHV-6 was defined as HHV-6 DNA levels >1 × 106 genomes/mL.Results. One of 47 kidney recipients was found to have CIHHV-6. The prevalence of CIHHV-6 was calculated at 2.1% (95% confidence interval, <0.01-12.1%). Despite an increase in HHV-6 DNA level after transplant, the patient did not develop clinical HHV-6 disease.Conclusions. CIHHV-6 may be observed in kidney transplant recipients. Clinicians should be aware of this entity so as not to provide unnecessary treatment to asymptomatic patients with CIHHV-6.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2391-2393 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords
- chromosomal integration
- human herpesvirus-6
- infection
- kidney transplantation
- prevalence
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nephrology
- Transplantation