Human herpesvirus-6 and cytomegalovirus DNA in liver donor biopsies and their correlation with HLA matches and acute cellular rejection

Herpesvirus reactivation is common after liver transplantation.ObjectiveAnalyze the presence of cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA in liver donor biopsies, seeking to better understand issues involving human donor leukocyte antigens (HLA)-A, B and DR, as well as correlations with acute cellular rejection.MethodsFifty-nine liver transplantation patients were investigated for the presence of HCMV and HHV-6 DNA in liver donor biopsies, using the Nested-PCR technique. The clinical donor information and HLA matches were obtained from the São Paulo State Transplant System. The recipients’ records regarding acute cellular rejection were studied.ResultsSeven (11.8%) biopsies were positive for HCMV DNA and 29 (49%) were positive for HHV-6 DNA. In 14 donors with HLA-DR 15 nine had HHV-6 DNA positive liver biopsy with a tendency for significant association (p = 0.09), 22 recipients developed acute cellular rejection and 9/22 were positive for HLA-DR 15 (p = 0.03; χ2 = 4.51), which was statistically significant in univariate analysis and showed a tendency after multivariate analysis (p = 0.08).ConclusionHHV-6 DNA was prevalent in liver donors studied as well as HLA-DR 15. These findings suggest that patients with HLA-DR 15 in liver donor biopsies develop more rejection after liver transplantation.