Human herpes virus 6 infection associated with colitis, hepatitis and pancreatitis in a lung transplant recipient

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Human herpes virus 6 infection associated with colitis, hepatitis and pancreatitis in a lung transplant recipient

Lamoth F¹, Jayet PY², Aubert JD², Rotman S³, Mottet C⁴, Lautenschlager I⁵, Meylan P^1,6.
1. Service of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
2. Service of Pneumology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
3. Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
4. Service of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.
5. Department of Virology, University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
6. Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation occurs in as many as one quarter to one half of solid organ transplant recipients. Howewer, infection is rarely symptomatic and signs are not specific including fever or neurological disturbances. Most cases are attributed to HHV-6B. We described a case of colitis of HHV-6B associated with mild hepatitis and pancreatitis in a lung transplant recipient that occurred after valganciclovir prophylaxis discontinuation. The diagnosis was supported by the detection of the virus in a colonic biopsy by PCR and immunostaining but not in blood. The infection responded to valganciclovir therapy. This case report suggests that symptomatic HHV-6 infection can occur in the absence of viremia. HHV-6 may have to be looked for in transplant patients with persistent diarrhea in whom more likely enteropathogenic agents have been ruled out.

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Last Updated : 04/12/2007 13:43:11