Parvovirus B19 in organ transplant recipients

[Guest guest]

Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation: Volume 8(4) December 2003 pp

283-287

Parvovirus B19 in organ transplant recipients

Posfay-Barbe, Klara M.; s, n G.

Division of Allergy, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital

of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Correspondence to n G. s, Division of Allergy, Immunology &

Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3705 Fifth Avenue,

Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2583, USA

Tel: 412 692 6768; e-mail: n.s@...

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review reports recent publications on parvovirus B19

infections in the transplant population.

Recent findings: Parvovirus B19 (B19) infections have been increasingly

reported in the transplant literature and can cause a potential severe

disease in transplant recipients. Diagnosis can be difficult in

immunocompromised individuals and should ideally be screened for in the

pretransplant period. Most recent publications focus on unusual

presentations, such as persistent pure red blood cell anemia and

neutropenia. However, glomerulopathy and liver or heart dysfunction have

also been reported. The role of B19 in rejection remains unclear. Treatment

of B19 infection after transplantation continues to include intravenous

immunoglobulin and reduction or discontinuation of immunosuppression. New

insights into treatment remain to be elucidated.

Summary: Parvovirus B19 continues to cause significant disease after

transplantation. Multicenter trials would be advantageous in better defining

the full range of clinical syndromes and optimal treatment strategies.

© 2003 Lippincott & Wilkins, Inc.