An assessment of interactions between hepatitis C virus and herpesvirus reactivation in liver transplant recipients using molecular surveillance

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been proposed to have immunomodulatory effects in transplant recipients and may promote herpesvirus reactivation. To assess this, we compared the incidence of herpesvirus reactivation in HCV‐positive and HCV‐negative liver transplant recipients. Quantitative viral load testing was performed at regular intervals posttransplantation for cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), human herpesviruses (HHV) 6, 7, and 8, and varicella zoster virus (VZV) in 177 liver transplant patients who were HCV‐positive (n = 60) or HCV‐negative (n = 117). The incidence of CMV disease, CMV viremia, and the peak CMV viral load was not significantly different in HCV‐positive vs. HCV‐negative patients. Similarly, no differences in HHV‐6 or EBV reactivation were observed. HHV‐8 or VZV viremia was not detected in any patient in the study. A lower incidence of HHV‐7 infection occurred in HCV‐positive patients vs. HCV‐negative patients (47.6% vs. 72.7%; P = 0.006). In conclusion, these results suggest that HCV infection does not appear to promote herpesvirus reactivation after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 13:1422–1427, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.