Human herpesvirus-8 seroconversions after renal transplantation

Transplantation. 2001 Oct 15;72(7):1319-20. doi: 10.1097/00007890-200110150-00023.

Abstract

Background: Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is a new human herpesvirus that is clearly associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). A previous study has reported that the prevalence of KS in a cohort of renal transplant recipients with previous HHV-8 infection was 28% and two other studies have shown that KS can be linked to HHV-8 seroconversion after graft. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HHV-8 seroconversion rate in a cohort of renal allograft recipients in Paris.

Methods: Two hundred eighty-seven patients who were HHV-8 seronegative before renal transplantation were tested for HHV-8 antibodies by an immunofluorescence assay 12 months after transplantation.

Results: Of the 287 patients, 6 (2.09%) seroconverted after renal transplantation. None of these 6 patients developed KS within 3 years of the first HHV-8 positive serum. None of the clinical manifestations that could be associated with HHV-8 primary infection were observed during the seroconversion.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that HHV-8 seroconversion can be observed even in a low HHV-8 prevalence area and confirmed the need to perform systematic screening for HHV-8 antibodies in renal graft donors and recipients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Period
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral