Detection of human herpesvirus-7 by qualitative nested-PCR: comparison between healthy individuals and liver transplant recipients

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2008-11, Vol.41 (6), p.556-559
• Main Authors: Thomasini, Ronaldo Luis, Martins, Juliana de Moraes, Parola, Daniela Corte, Bonon, Sandra Helena Alves, Boin, Ilka de Fátima Santana Ferreira, Leonardi, Luis Sérgio, Leonardi, Marília, Costa, Sandra Cecília Botelho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA, Viral - blood; Female; Herpesvirus 7, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 7, Human - isolation & purification; Humans; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - virology; Liver; Liver Transplantation; Male; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Roseolovirus Infections - diagnosis; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849; 0037-8682
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822008000600002

Diagnosis of human herpesvirus-7 active infection in transplant patients has proved difficult, because this virus is ubiquitous and can cause persistent infections in the host. The significance of viral DNA detected in leukocytes by PCR is unclear and cross-reaction in serological tests may occur. This study aimed to evaluate nested-PCR to detect human herpesvirus-7 active infection in liver transplant recipients compared to healthy individuals. human herpesvirus-7 nested-PCR was performed on leukocytes and sera of 53 healthy volunteers and sera of 29 liver transplant recipients. In healthy volunteers, human herpesvirus-7 was detected in 28.3% of leukocytes and 0% of serum. human herpesvirus-7 was detected in sera of 48.2% of the liver transplant recipients. Nested-PCR on DNA extracted from leukocytes detected latent infection and the study suggests that nested-PCR performed on serum could be useful to detect human herpesvirus-7 active infection in liver transplant recipients.