Evaluation of Varicella Zoster Virus Infection Morbidity and Mortality in Pancreas and Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients

Fatal disseminated visceral varicella zoster virus infection in a renal transplant recipient

We report a case of fatal disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) with delayed-onset rash in a 66-year-old female more than 2 years following uncomplicated deceased donor renal transplantation. Whilst on a stable regimen of maintenance immunosuppression, the patient presented with chest and abdominal pain with concomitant hepatitis and pancreatitis. After pursuing multiple other potential causes of her symptoms, the correct diagnosis of VZV was only suspected after the development of a widespread vesicular rash-11 days after her initial symptoms. Despite antiviral therapy and inotropic support in the intensive care unit, the patient died. Simultaneous VZV hepatitis and pancreatitis in solid organ transplant recipients is uncommon. The new inactivated VZV vaccines have the potential to prevent post-transplant infections, with promising early clinical data on safety and efficacy in renal transplant recipients. VZV is an important preventable infection that should be considered in immunocompromised patients, even in the absence of rash.

Varicella zoster virus encephalitis in solid organ transplant recipients: Case series and review of literature

Herpes zoster encephalitis (HZE) is a rare complication of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. We report two cases of HZE in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients and review 10 other cases in the literature. In this review, rash was present in 67% of cases. Despite the absence of a rash, high clinical suspicion for HZE is necessary and empiric antiviral therapy should be considered. While with variable outcome, it was associated with high mortality rate of 42%. Prompt initiation of antiviral therapy remains crucial in decreasing morbidity and mortality from this fatal disease.

Herpes Zoster and Immunogenicity and Safety of Zoster Vaccines in Transplant Patients: A Narrative Review of the Literature

This narrative review focuses on the herpes zoster (HZ) and its prevention in transplant patients. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is highly contagious and distributed worldwide in humans. Primary VZV infection usually causes varicella and then establishes a lifelong latency in dorsal root ganglia. Reactivation of VZV leads to HZ and related complications such as postherpetic neuralgia. Age and decreased immunity against VZV are important risk factors for developing HZ. Transplant patients are at increased risk for developing HZ and related complications due to their immunocompromised status and the need for lifetime immunosuppression. Diagnosis of HZ in transplant patients is often clinically difficult, and VZV-specific antibodies should be determined by serologic testing to document prior exposure to VZV during their pre-transplant evaluation process. Although antiviral agents are available, vaccination should be recommended for preventing HZ in transplant patients considering their complicated condition and weak organ function. Currently, there are two licensed HZ vaccines, of which one is a live-attenuated vaccine and the other is a HZ subunit vaccine. Both vaccines have shown promising safety and efficacy in transplants patients and especially the subunit vaccine could be administered post-transplant since this vaccine does not contain any live virus. Larger studies are needed about safety and immunogenicity of HZ vaccines in transplant populations, and extra efforts are needed to increase vaccine usage according to guidelines.

A retrospective study to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of opportunistic infections after abdominal organ transplantation

BACKGROUND

Most epidemiologic studies of opportunistic infections (OI) following abdominal organ transplantation are derived prior to the era of contemporary immunosuppression and prophylaxis. These studies suggest that most OI occur within the first 6 months post transplant.

METHOD

In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we describe the epidemiology of OI in 359 consecutive abdominal organ transplant recipients, in the era of contemporary prophylaxis practices and alemtuzumab induction in kidney and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients.

RESULTS

Ninety patients (25.1%) developed OI, with 53.3% of these occurring beyond 6 months. The most common OI were BK polyomavirus nephropathy (5.0%), cytomegalovirus (10.2%), varicella zoster virus (4.4%), and herpes simplex virus (1.1%), which typically occurred after discontinuation of antiviral prophylaxis, and Clostridium difficile infections (7.8%).

CONCLUSION

OI had no impact on patient or graft survival at 12 months post transplant. In the era of contemporary immunosuppression and prophylaxis, a significant proportion of OI occur beyond 6 months. Additional strategies may be important to reduce the incidence of such late-onset infections.

Practical Applications in Immunohistochemistry: Evaluation of Rejection and Infection in Organ Transplantation

CONTEXT

-Immunohistochemical analysis of tissue biopsy specimens is a crucial tool in diagnosis of both rejection and infection in patients with solid organ transplants. In the past 15 years, the concept of antibody-mediated rejection has been refined, and diagnostic criteria have been codified in renal, heart, pancreas, and lung allografts (with studies ongoing in liver, small intestine, and composite grafts), all of which include immunoanalysis for the complement split product C4d.

OBJECTIVES

-To review the general concepts of C4d biology and immunoanalysis, followed by organ-allograft-specific data, and interpretative nuances for kidney, pancreas, and heart, with discussion of early literature for lung and liver biopsies. Additionally, practical applications and limitations of immunostains for infectious organisms (Polyomavirus, Adenoviridae [adenovirus], and the herpes virus family, including Herpes simplex virus, Cytomegalovirus, Human herpes virus 8, and Epstein-Barr virus) are reviewed in the context of transplant recipients.

DATA SOURCES

-Our experience and published primary and review literature.

CONCLUSIONS

-Immunohistochemistry continues to have an important role in transplant pathology, most notably C4d staining in assessment of antibody-mediated rejection and assessment of viral pathogens in tissue. In all facets of transplant pathology, correlation of morphology with special studies and clinical data is critical, as is close communication with the transplant team.

A prospective study of the clinical characteristics of patients with herpes simplex and varicella zoster keratitis, presenting to a New Zealand emergency eye clinic

PURPOSE

To identify the demographic and clinical associations of patients presenting with herpetic keratitis in New Zealand compared with presentations of presumed microbial keratitis.

METHODS

A prospective, 6-month, observational case series of presumed microbial keratitis (including marginal keratitis), specifically identifying all cases of herpes simplex and varicella zoster keratitis attending an emergency eye clinic was conducted. Main outcome measures included demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, and medical, ocular, and drug history.

RESULTS

A total of 140 cases of herpetic keratitis were identified, which comprised 125 cases of herpes simplex virus (89%) and 15 cases of varicella zoster virus (11%). Herpes simplex keratitis was associated with a history of keratitis (n = 58, phi = 0.24, P < 0.0001), Maori ethnicity (n = 27, phi = 0.26, P < 0.0001), respiratory disease (n = 18, phi = 0.14, P = 0.009), corticosteroid use (n = 23, phi = 0.22, P < 0.0001), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) (n = 10, phi = 0.11, P = 0.03). Inverse association was observed between herpes simplex keratitis and ocular surface disease (n = 8, phi = -0.16, P < 0.002) and Asian ethnicity (n = 4, phi = -0.11, P = 0.04). Varicella zoster keratitis was associated with CVD (n = 3, phi = 0.15, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with asthma, CVD, on long-term corticosteroid inhalers or creams, or of Maori ethnicity need particular assessment to investigate herpes simplex as a possible cause of keratitis. Clinicians prescribing inhaled corticosteroids or topical corticosteroid creams should be aware of possible association with herpes simplex keratitis.