Human herpes virus 6 reactivation following autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation – a single-center experience

Abstract

Data regarding presentation and management of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation among autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are limited. We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of all autologous HCT patients tested for HHV-6 reactivation due to suspected clinical presentation between 1/2012 and 8/2017. Among 328 autologous HCT recipients, 44 patients were tested for HHV-6 reactivation. Thirty patients tested positive; 29 (97%) had sustained fever, six (20%) had rash and four (13%) had pneumonia. Median C-reactive protein was significantly lower in HHV-6 positive patients compared to negative patients (3.6 (range, 0.4–11) vs. 9.6 (range, 3.2–30) mg/dL, respectively, p = .004). Ganciclovir formulations were administrated in 29 (97%) patients with median time to fever resolution of one (range, 1–2) day. HHV-6 should be considered as an important cause of post engraftment fever in autologous HCT. Larger studies are warranted to evaluate incidence of HHV-6 reactivation and optimal treatment regimen.

Keywords:

• Autologous
• transplantation
• human herpes virus 6
• HHV-6

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2019.1576869.