Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 infections and reactivation are emerging factors in neurology. This study aimed to verify the presence of encephalitis associated with HHV-6 positivity by antigenemia or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records and laboratory results of 20 recipients with antigenemia or a positive PCR for HHV-6. The range of the transplantation dates was September 2006 to March 2010; the period of the medical records was from the date of transplantation to 1 year thereafter. Encephalitis was diagnosed by these symptoms: fever, mening, signs, seizures, dysphasia, visual and hearing impairment, or sensory and motion alterations. "Possible encephalitis" was considered when the patients had at least 2 of the symptoms. PCR or antigenemia for HHV-6 was not performed with central nervous fluid. The correlation between HHV-6 infection and encephalitis was evaluated with the use of descriptive statistical tests. RESULTS: Symptoms associated with encephalitis occurred in 7/20, patients (35%): 5/20 with fever and 4/20 with mental confusion. Involuntary movements were present in 1 case. The symptoms appeared with in the first 10 days in 6/20 patients and lasted for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that symptoms associated with encephalitis occurred in a considerable number of patients with positive PCR and/or antigenemia for HHV-6 after liver transplantation. This correlation needs retrospectie and prospective studies to determine the specific association.
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Authors | G S Magalhães, A C Guardia, A M Sampaio, I F S F Boin, R S B Stucchi |
Journal | Transplantation proceedings
(Transplant Proc)
Vol. 45
Issue 5
Pg. 1997-9
(Jun 2013)
ISSN: 1873-2623 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 23769093
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Encephalitis, Viral
(diagnosis, physiopathology, virology)
- Female
- Herpesvirus 6, Human
(pathogenicity)
- Humans
- Liver Transplantation
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Young Adult
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