Effect of HHV-6 and HHV-7 Infection on the Posttransplant Process and the Development of Complications in Patients after Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

The relationship between HHV-6 and HHV-7 reactivation and development of post-autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation complications was examined. The presence of viral genomic sequences in whole peripheral blood and cell free plasma was determined by nested PCR, HHV-6 and HHV-7 load by real-time PCR, virus specific antibodies and cytokines in serum by ELISA, and HHV-6 variants by restriction endonuclease analysis. Clinical features, reactivation of viruses and serum TNF-α, and IL-6 concentrations were determined in seventy-six patients with Roseolovirus infection before and after transplantation. Anti-HHV-6 antibodies were found in 62 of 76 (81.6%) patients before transplantation. A significantly higher rate of single HHV-7 infection was found in patients with viral infection in comparison with single HHV-6 infection (p = 0.0003) and concurrent (HHV-6 and HHV-7) infection (p = 0.0017). Complications after transplantation developed in 30.3% of patients and reactivation of viruses was detected in all of these patients. Significant increase of HHV-6 and HHV-7 reactivation with simultaneous increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines serum levels suggests that both viruses may be involved in the development of complications after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation via their immunomodulatory ability. The kinetics of the Roseolovirus reactivation may reflect the potential role of HHV-7 as a co-factor for HHV-6 activation.