Incidence and risk factors for herpes zoster following heart transplantation

Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are at Increased Risk for Complications of Herpes Zoster

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as herpes zoster (HZ). The aim of this study was to determine whether complications of HZ are more frequent in patients with IBD than in non-IBD controls.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, cohort study using the Optum Research Database. Patients with IBD were matched 1:1 to non-IBD controls based on age, sex, and index year, which was defined as the diagnosis of HZ. We then identified the complications of HZ that occurred up to 90 days after the index date. We compared patients with IBD with non-IBD controls and evaluated the 90-day risk of HZ complications. We used a composite primary outcome for any HZ complication. Secondary outcomes were risk factors for complications.

RESULTS

A total of 4756 patients with IBD met the inclusion criteria and were matched to the controls. Patients with IBD were more likely to have complications of HZ than controls (738 [15.52%] vs 595 [12.51%]; P < .0001). Patients with IBD with higher comorbidity scores were more likely to develop complications (1.86 vs 1.18; P < .0001). In the logistic regression analysis of patients with IBD having a higher comorbidity score, above 50 years of age, on anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or corticosteroids were all at increased risk of a complication of HZ.

CONCLUSION

Patients with IBD are more likely to have complications of HZ than controls. Efforts are needed to increase HZ vaccine uptake to reduce the morbidity of HZ.

Case report: safety and efficacy of lidocaine infusion for the treatment of intractable zoster-associated neuralgia in solid organ transplant recipients

Introduction

Solid organ transplant recipients are at high risk for developing severe zoster-associated neuralgia, and the pharmaceutic therapies of pain management for these patients with limited organ function are challenging. Intravenous lidocaine infusion showed positive analgesic effects and is used for the management of neuropathic pain. This case series reports the safety and effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine infusion in the treatment of intractable zoster-associated neuralgia in solid organ transplant recipients.

Case series presentation

Five solid organ transplant recipients suffering from refractory zoster-associated neuralgia (numeric rating scale 8-10, despite using high doses of antiepileptic drugs or combined with opioids) were enrolled. Intravenous lidocaine (5 mg/kg ideal bodyweight) was administered over 1.5 h with the monitoring of vital signs. Pain intensity, patient satisfaction, adverse events, typical liver, and kidney function were evaluated. All subjects reported high satisfaction with their treatment and effective pain relief at the 6-month follow-up. One patient experienced short and mild numbness in the mouth and dizziness after the therapy, but no major adverse reactions were reported.

Conclusion

This case series provides evidence that intravenous lidocaine infusion provided effective pain relief as an analgesic treatment option for transplant patients with intractable zoster-associated neuralgia.

A Clinical Model to Predict the Occurrence of Select High-risk Infections in the First Year Following Heart Transplantation

Background

Invasive infection remains a dangerous complication of heart transplantation (HT). No objectively defined set of clinical risk factors has been established to reliably predict infection in HT. The aim of this study was to develop a clinical prediction model for use at 1 mo post-HT to predict serious infection by 1 y.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of HT recipients (2000-2018) was performed. The composite endpoint included cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex or varicella zoster virus infection, blood stream infection, invasive fungal, or nocardial infection occurring 1 mo to 1 y post-HT. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression model was constructed using 10 candidate variables. A concordance statistic, calibration curve, and mean calibration error were calculated. A scoring system was derived for ease of clinical application.

Results

Three hundred seventy-five patients were analyzed; 93 patients experienced an outcome event. All variables remained in the final model: aged 55 y or above, history of diabetes, need for renal replacement therapy in first month, CMV risk derived from donor and recipient serology, use of induction and/or early lymphodepleting therapy in the first month, use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis at 1 mo, lymphocyte count under 0.75 × 103cells/µL at 1 mo, and inpatient status at 1 mo. Good discrimination (C-index 0.80) and calibration (mean absolute calibration error 3.6%) were demonstrated.

Conclusion

This model synthesizes multiple highly relevant clinical parameters, available at 1 mo post-HT, into a unified, objective, and clinically useful prediction tool for occurrence of serious infection by 1 y post-HT.

The risks of rejection vs. infection: Ramsay Hunt syndrome, Gradenigo syndrome, and varicella meningoencephalitis in a heart transplant patient

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients are at increased risk for varicella zoster reactivation, and severe complications may arise due to their immunosuppressive regimens. Managing immunosuppression in acute infection is difficult, and specific guideline recommendations or evidence from the literature are lacking. However, patient care must involve weighing the risk of transplant rejection with the consequences of worsening infection.

CASE SUMMARY

An OHT patient with a history of multiple episodes of acute rejection, latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, and recent completion of anti-viral prophylaxis presented with unilateral facial droop and pain, abducens nerve palsy, crusting facial rash, and ear swelling. Imaging revealed necrotizing otitis externa, with associated otitis media, and petrous apicitis concerning for Gradenigo syndrome. A VZV-positive viral panel confirmed our suspicion for Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS). The patient's mentation continued to decline, and subsequent lumbar puncture also revealed VZV meningoencephalitis. The patient's mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was suspended, with continuation of tacrolimus, and initiation of intravenous acyclovir. The patient demonstrated gradual resolution of his infection, without developing any signs of acute rejection.

DISCUSSION

Varicella zoster virus reactivation is common in OHT patients, particularly when viral prophylaxis is discontinued; however, cardiologists should be aware of the rarer manifestations that can manifest in these immunocompromised patients. This is the first documented case of simultaneous RHS, Gradenigo syndrome, and VZV meningoencephalitis in any patient, regardless of transplant status. We demonstrate that even in patients at very high risk of rejection, MMF can be safely discontinued and host immunity maintained with temporary tacrolimus monotherapy.

Current Perspectives on the Management of Herpesvirus Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at high risk of human herpesvirus (HHV)-related morbidity and mortality due to the use of immunosuppressive therapy. We aim to increase awareness and understanding of HHV disease burden in SOTRs by providing an overview of current prevention and management strategies as described in the literature and guidelines. We discuss challenges in both prevention and treatment as well as future perspectives.

Denosumab treatment and infection risks in patients with osteoporosis: propensity score matching analysis of a national-wide population-based cohort study

Introduction

Denosumab demonstrates efficacy in reducing the incidence of hip, vertebral, and nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. We present a population-based national cohort study to evaluate the infection risks in patients with osteoporosis after long-term denosumab therapy.

Methods

We used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to identify patients with osteoporosis. The case cohort comprised patients treated with denosumab. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to select denosumab nonusers for the control cohort. The study period was between August 2011 and December 2017. Our study comprised 30,106 pairs of case and control patients.

Results

Patients receiving denosumab therapy had high risks of the following infections: pneumonia and influenza (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 -1.39), urinary tract infection (aHR: 1.36; 95% CI:1.32 -1.40), tuberculosis (aHR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.36 -1.87), fungal infection (aHR: 1.67; 95% CI:1.46 -1.90), candidiasis (aHR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.47 -1.93), herpes zoster infection (aHR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.19 -1.35), sepsis (aHR: 1.54; 95% CI:1.43 -1.66), and death (aHR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.20 -1.32). However, the longer the duration of denosumab treatment, the lower the risk patients had of developing infections.

Discussion

Denosumab therapy is associated with a higher infection risk at the early periods of treatment. Nevertheless, the risk attenuates significantly after the 2nd year of therapy. Clinicians should closely monitor infection status in patients with osteoporosis during the initial stages of denosumab therapy.

Varicella-Zoster Virus Myocarditis: Early Clinical Diagnosis and Outcome

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a viral infection that causes chickenpox and shingles. Although it is usually self-limiting, it can lead to severe complications, especially in pediatric and immunocompromised patients. VZV was first discovered as a cause of myocarditis in 1953. In this review article, we aim to investigate the early clinical diagnosis of myocarditis in VZV infections and the efficacy of the VZV vaccine in preventing myocarditis. The literature search was done using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Sci-Hub databases. A high VZV mortality rate was noted among adults, infants, and immunocompromised patients. The early diagnosis and treatment of VZV myocarditis can reduce mortality.

Risk of Severe Alphaherpesvirus Infection after Solid Organ Transplantation: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Patients after solid organ transplantation (SOT) are more susceptible to various viral infections, including alphaherpesviruses. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the risk of alphaherpesvirus infections, including herpes simplex and herpes zoster, after solid organ transplantation. Inpatient records from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) defined solid organ recipients, including heart, liver, lung, and kidney, hospitalized for alphaherpesvirus infections as a severe case group of transplants and matched them with a nontransplant cohort. We enrolled 18,064 individuals, of whom 9032 were in each group. A higher risk of severe alphaherpesvirus infection was noted in solid organ recipients (aHR = 9.19; p < 0.001) than in the general population. In addition, solid organ transplant recipients had the highest risk of alphaherpesvirus infection within 1 year after transplantation (aHR = 25.18). The comparison found a higher risk of herpes zoster and herpes simplex infections in recipients of kidney (aHR = 9.13; aHR = 12.13), heart (aHR = 14.34; aHR = 18.54), and liver (aHR = 5.90; aHR = 8.28) transplants. Patients who underwent solid organ transplantation had a significantly higher risk of alphaherpesvirus infection than the general population.

Safety and efficacy of recombinant and live herpes zoster vaccines for prevention in at-risk adults with chronic diseases and immunocompromising conditions

Compared with the general population, older adults with immune senescence and individuals who are immunocompromised (IC) due to disease or immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ) and its associated complications, which can be debilitating and life-threatening. Vaccination can be an effective strategy against HZ and studies have shown that HZ vaccination in IC individuals can elicit immune responses and provide protection from infection. Recently, the first approvals have been granted in the United States and the European Union for the recombinant HZ vaccine (RZV) in adults ≥ 18 years of age at risk of HZ due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression. Existing systematic reviews have highlighted the risks for HZ in limited immunocompromising conditions and have only examined clinical data for RZV. This review details the risks and burden of HZ in a broad range of clinically relevant IC populations and summarizes key efficacy and safety data for RZV and live HZ vaccine in these individuals. Research has shown IC individuals can benefit from HZ vaccination; however, these insights have yet to be fully incorporated into vaccination guidelines and clinical care. Clinicians should consider HZ vaccination in eligible at-risk populations to protect against HZ and its associated complications and thereby, reduce the burden that HZ poses on the healthcare system. Electronic health records and linked personal health records could be used to identify and contact patients eligible for HZ vaccination and provide clinical decision support-generated alerts for missing or delayed vaccinations. This review will help clinicians identify eligible IC individuals who may benefit from HZ vaccination. A video abstract linked to this article is available on Figshare https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21517605.

Adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine in solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hematopoietic stem-cell (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are particularly at risk to develop herpes zoster and its complications. A recently approved nonlive, adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (aRZV) is a potential candidate to provide durable prevention of herpes zoster. This review summarizes current scientific evidence and expert recommendations for its use in these populations and offers practical clinical guidance.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent clinical trials have shown aRZV to be well tolerated and efficacious in the prevention of herpes zoster, even in the elderly. Data are emerging that this vaccine might also be effective in immunocompromised individuals, such as SOT and HSCT recipients. Evidence is sparse regarding optimal timing of vaccination and durability of responses. However, several specialized societies have already established expert-based aRZV immunization recommendations for these vulnerable populations.

SUMMARY

Practical considerations, safety concerns, and timing of vaccine administration vary from one immunocompromised subpopulation to another. Initial studies show that aRZV has a favorable safety and immunogenicity profile in SOT and HSCT recipients. However, data are sparse, particularly in allogeneic HSCT, and practical recommendations are mostly based on expert opinion. Additional research is needed to offer better insight on aRZV administration in immunocompromised patients.

Boosting the VZV-Specific Memory B and T Cell Response to Prevent Herpes Zoster After Kidney Transplantation

Background

Solid organ transplant recipients are at high risk to develop (complicated) herpes zoster (HZ). Booster vaccination could prevent HZ. However, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients show poor immunological responses to vaccinations. We studied the effect of a live attenuated VZV booster vaccine on VZV-specific B and T cell memory responses in ESRD patients and healthy controls. NL28557.000.09, www.toetsingonline.nl

Methods

VZV-seropositive patients, aged ≥50 years, awaiting kidney transplantation, were vaccinated with Zostavax^®. Gender and age-matched VZV-seropositive potential living kidney donors were included as controls. VZV-specific IgG titers were measured before, at 1, 3 and 12 months post-vaccination. VZV-specific B and T cell responses before, at 3 months and 1 year after vaccination were analysed by flow-cytometry and Elispot, respectively. Occurrence of HZ was assessed at 5 years post-vaccination.

Results

26 patients and 27 donors were included. Median VZV-specific IgG titers were significantly higher at all time-points post-vaccination in patients (mo 1: 3104 IU/ml [1967-3825], p<0.0001; mo 3: 2659 [1615-3156], p=0.0002; mo 12: 1988 [1104-2989], p=0.01 vs. pre: 1397 [613-2248]) and in donors (mo 1: 2981 [2126-3827], p<0.0001; mo 3: 2442 [2014-3311], p<0.0001; mo 12: 1788 [1368-2460], p=0.0005 vs. pre: 1034 [901-1744]. The patients’ IgG titers were comparable to the donors’ at all time-points. The ratio VZV-specific B cells of total IgG producing memory B cells had increased 3 months post-vaccination in patients (0.85 [0.65-1.34] vs. pre: 0.56 [0.35-0.81], p=0.003) and donors (0.85 [0.63-1.06] vs. pre: 0.53 [0.36-0.79], p<0.0001) and remained stable thereafter in donors. One year post-vaccination, the percentage of CD4+ central memory cells had increased in both patients (0.29 [0.08-0.38] vs. 0.12 [0.05-0.29], p=0.005) and donors (0.12 [0.03-0.37] vs. 0.09 [0.01-0.20], p=0.002) and CD4+ effector memory cells had increased in donors (0.07 [0.02-0.14] vs. 0.04 [0.01-0.12], p=0.007). Only 1 patient experienced HZ, which was non-complicated.

Conclusion

VZV booster vaccination increases VZV-specific IgG titers and percentage VZV-specific memory T-cells for at least 1 year both in ESRD patients and healthy controls. VZV-specific memory B cells significantly increased in patients up to 3 months after vaccination. Prophylactic VZV booster vaccination prior to transplantation could reduce HZ incidence and severity after transplantation.

Viruses in the Heart: Direct and Indirect Routes to Myocarditis and Heart Failure

Viruses are an underappreciated cause of heart failure. Indeed, several types of viral infections carry cardiovascular risks. Understanding shared and unique mechanisms by which each virus compromises heart function is critical to inform on therapeutic interventions. This review describes how the key viruses known to lead to cardiac dysfunction operate. Both direct host-damaging mechanisms and indirect actions on the immune systems are discussed. As viral myocarditis is a key pathologic driver of heart failure in infected individuals, this review also highlights the role of cytokine storms and inflammation in virus-induced cardiomyopathy.

Association between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Herpes Zoster Infection in 1688 Living Donor Liver Transplantation Recipients at a Large Single Center

Liver transplantation (LT) is closely associated with decreased immune function, a contributor to herpes zoster (HZ). However, risk factors for HZ in living donor LT (LDLT) remain unknown. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and immune system function are reportedly correlated. This study investigated the association between NLR and HZ in 1688 patients who underwent LDLT between January 2010 and July 2020 and evaluated risk factors for HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). The predictive power of NLR was assessed through the concordance index and an integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) analysis. Of the total cohort, 138 (8.2%) had HZ. The incidence of HZ after LT was 11.2 per 1000 person-years and 0.1%, 1.3%, 2.9%, and 13.5% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. In the Cox regression analysis, preoperative NLR was significantly associated with HZ (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.09; p = 0.005) and PHN (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.03–1.13; p = 0.001). Age, sex, mycophenolate mofetil use, and hepatitis B virus infection were risk factors for HZ versus age and sex for PHN. In the IDI analysis, NLR was discriminative for HZ and PHN (p = 0.020 and p = 0.047, respectively). Preoperative NLR might predict HZ and PHN in LDLT recipients.

Immune responses to the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine in immunocompromised adults: a comprehensive overview

Immunocompromised (IC) persons are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ) and its complications, mainly due to impairment of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) demonstrated efficacy against HZ in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT) recipients and hematologic malignancy (HM) patients. We review immune responses to RZV in 5 adult IC populations, 4 of which were receiving multiple, concomitant immunosuppressive medications: auto-HSCT and renal transplant recipients, HM and solid tumor patients, and human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults. Although administered in most cases when immunosuppression was near its maximum, including concomitantly with chemotherapy cycles, RZV induced robust and persistent humoral and, more importantly, CMI responses in all 5 IC populations. Based on the overall clinical data generated in older adults and IC individuals, RZV is expected to provide benefit in a broad adult population at risk for HZ.

Incidence of herpes zoster in adult solid organ transplant recipients: A meta-analysis and comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

Chronic immunosuppressive therapy in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients can trigger latent varicella zoster virus reactivation even in those with stable graft function. The inactivated herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine can be effective in preventing post-transplant HZ, which can cause severe neuralgia or disseminated disease. This meta-analysis aims to assess the incidences of HZ across transplant organs in SOT recipients.

METHODS

We included 12 observational studies (6560 recipients) from a PubMed and EMBASE search of articles through October 2019 and collected data from single-center dating from January 2001 to December 2017 (3498 recipients). The pooled HZ incidence and its differences between subgroups were obtained from random-effect models and meta-analysis of variance tests using R package.

RESULTS

The overall pooled crude incidence was 9.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6%-10.8%). The pooled incidence was similar between sexes but significantly different between transplanted organs (P < .001). Heart transplants (HT) (n = 644) have the highest pooled incidence with 15.2% (95% CI, 12.7%-18.2%), followed by lung transplants (LTX) (n = 780) with 11.0% (8.3%-14.4%). Kidney transplants (n = 5435) have the lowest incidence of 6.7 (5.1%-8.8%). The meta-regression analysis revealed that HZ development had a relationship with past graft rejection (P = .024).

CONCLUSION

These data support the need for subunit HZ vaccination in SOT recipients with a high risk for HZ, especially HT and LTX recipients, without respect to the late post-transplant period.

Incidence and time trends of herpes zoster among patients with head and neck cancer who did and did not undergo radiotherapy: A population-based cohort study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the risk and time trends of herpes zoster among patients with head and neck cancer, with or without radiotherapy.

METHODS

A total of 2160 patients with head and neck cancer were enrolled. The radiotherapy and non- radiotherapy cohorts were frequency-matched at a 1:1 ratio according to sex, age, and index date. Moreover, 1080 matched non-cancer individuals were considered normal controls. Data were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database and Cancer Registry. The primary end point was the incidence of herpes zoster, and the adjusted confounding factors were age, sex, comorbidities, oncological surgery, and chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The incidence of herpes zoster was higher in cancer patients than in non-cancer individuals but did not significantly differ (13.67 vs. 8.06 per 1,000 person-years, p = 0.18). The risk of herpes zoster was significantly higher in the radiotherapy cohort than in the non-radiotherapy cohort (18.55 vs. 9.06 per 1,000 person-years, p = 0.03). The 5-year incidence rates in the radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy cohorts were 8.9% and 5%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Survival analysis indicated there was no immortal time bias. The time trends in the radiotherapy cohort persistently showed a high risk within the first 2 years, which decreased thereafter. Only patients with comorbid rheumatoid arthritis showed a significantly high risk of herpes zoster (p = 0.02). Oncological surgery and chemotherapy had no impact on the development of herpes zoster.

CONCLUSIONS

This nationwide population-based study showed that patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy are at an increased risk of herpes zoster. Health care professionals should pay more attention to this vulnerable group to improve their quality of life.

Herpes Zoster Risk in Immunocompromised Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The primary reported risk factors for herpes zoster (HZ) include increasing age and immunodeficiency, yet estimates of HZ risk by immunocompromising condition have not been well characterized. We undertook a systematic literature review to estimate the HZ risk in immunocompromised patients.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed studies that examined the risk of HZ and associated complications in adult patients with hematopoietic cell transplants (HCT), cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and solid organ transplant (SOT). We identified studies in PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov that presented original data from the United States and were published after 1992. We assessed the risk of bias with Cochrane or Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methods.

RESULTS

We identified and screened 3765 records and synthesized 34 studies with low or moderate risks of bias. Most studies that were included (32/34) reported at least 1 estimate of the HZ cumulative incidence (range, 0-41%). There were 12 studies that reported HZ incidences that varied widely within and between immunocompromised populations. Incidence estimates ranged from 9 to 92 HZ cases/1000 patient-years and were highest in HCT, followed by hematologic malignancies, SOT, and solid tumor malignancies, and were lowest in people living with HIV. Among 17 HCT studies, the absence of or use of antiviral prophylaxis at <1 year post-transplant was associated with a higher HZ incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

HZ was common among all immunocompromised populations studied, exceeding the expected HZ incidence among immunocompetent adults aged ≥60 years. Better evidence of the incidence of HZ complications and their severity in immunocompromised populations is needed to inform economic and HZ vaccine policies.

Herpes Zoster in Solid Organ Transplantation: Incidence and Risk Factors

Background

Studies on herpes zoster (HZ) incidence in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients report widely varying numbers. We investigated HZ incidence, severity, and risk factors in recipients of four different SOTs, with a follow-up time of 6-14 years.

Methods

Records of 1,033 transplant recipients after first heart (HTx: n = 211), lung (LuTx: n = 121), liver (LiTx: n = 258) and kidney (KTx: n = 443) transplantation between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed for VZV-PCR, clinical signs of HZ, and complications.

Results

HZ was diagnosed in 108 of 1,033 patients (10.5%): 36 HTx, 17 LuTx, 15 LiTx, and 40 KTx recipients. Overall HZ incidence rate after HTx (30.7 cases/1,000 person-years (PY)), LuTx (38.8 cases/1,000 PY), LiTx (22.7 cases/1,000 PY) and KTx (14.5 cases/1,000 PY) was significantly higher than in the general 50-70 year population. Multivariable analysis demonstrated age ≥50 years at transplantation (p = 0.038, RR 1.536), type of organ transplant (overall p = 0.002; LuTx p = 0.393; RR 1.314; LiTx p = 0.011, RR 0.444; KTx p = 0.034, RR 0.575), CMV prophylaxis (p = 0.043, RR 0.631) and type of anti-rejection therapy (overall p = 0.020; methylprednisolone p = 0.008, RR 0.475; r-ATG p = 0.64, RR1.194) as significant risk factors. Complications occurred in 33 of 108 (31%) patients (39% of HTx, 47% of LuTx, 20% of LiTx, 20% of KTx): post-herpetic neuralgia, disseminated disease, and cranial nerve involvement.

Conclusion

HZ incidence and severity in SOT recipients are most pronounced after heart and lung transplantation, in older patients, and when CMV prophylaxis is lacking.

Epidemiology and risk factors for varicella zoster virus reactivation in heart transplant recipients

Heart transplant (HT) recipients are at higher risk of varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation. Risk factors for VZV reactivation are currently not well defined, impeding the ability to design and implement strategies to minimize the burden of this illness in this population. Automated data extraction tools were used to retrieve data from the electronic health record (EHR) of all adult HT recipients at our center between 2010 and 2016. Information from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Standard Analysis and Research Files was merged with the extracted data. Potential cases were manually reviewed and adjudicated using consensus definitions. Cumulative incidence and risk factors for VZV reactivation in HT recipients were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox modeling, respectively. In 203 HT recipients, the cumulative incidence of VZV reactivation at 8-years post-transplantation was 26.4% (95% CI: 17.8-38.0). The median time to VZV reactivation was 2.1 years (IQR, 1.5-4.1). Half (14/28) of the cases experienced post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Post-transplant CMV infection (HR 9.05 [95% CI: 3.76-21.77) and post-transplant pulse-dose steroids (HR 3.19 [95% CI: 1.05-9.68]) were independently associated with a higher risk of VZV reactivation in multivariable modeling. Identification of risk factors will aid in the development of targeted preventive strategies.

Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy increases the risk of herpes zoster in patients with gynecological cancers: a nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with gynecological cancers via a nationwide population-based study.

METHODS

Based on patient data obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database, 1928 gynecological cancer patients were identified with 1:1 matching for RT and non-RT cohorts by age, index date, and cancer type. Another cohort consisting of 964 non-cancer individuals matched was used as normal control. The incidence of HZ was compared between cancer patients with and without RT. Age, comorbidities, cancer-related surgery and chemotherapy (CT), and cancer type were adjusted as confounders.

RESULTS

The risk of HZ in cancer patients was higher than that of non-cancer individuals (14.23 versus 8.34 per 1,000 person-years [PY], the adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.38, p=0.044). In the cancer population, the incidence of HZ for the RT and non-RT cohorts was 20.55 versus 10.23 per 1,000 PY, respectively (aHR=1.68, p=0.009). Age >50 years was an independent factor for developing HZ. The 5-year actuarial incidence for patients receiving neither RT nor CT, RT alone, CT alone, and combined modalities was 5.4%, 6.9%, 3.7%, and 9.9%, respectively (p<0.001). In the RT cohort, the risk rose rapidly in the first year, becoming steady thereafter.

CONCLUSION

This population-based study showed that gynecological cancer patients receiving RT combined with CT had the highest cumulative risk of HZ. Health care professionals should be aware of the potential toxicities.

Herpes Zoster in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Series of Three Cases

Kidney transplant recipients require lifelong immunosuppression to prevent organ rejection. The need for this intervention, however, leads to decreased cellular immunity and, in turn, increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ) from reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus. HZ commonly presents as a painful rash in a dermatome presentation followed by post-herpetic neuralgia. In immunosuppressed individuals, the presentation can be atypical and vary in severity depending on degree of immunosuppression and host immune response. We present the clinical course of 3 kidney transplant recipients who developed HZ after transplantation at different times post-transplant with varying clinical manifestations. The balance between maintaining immunosuppression and preventing or subsequently treating disseminated disease is discussed.

Varicella-zoster virus post-exposure management and prophylaxis: A review

Varicella-zoster virus causes both varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Although varicella incidence has dramatically declined since introduction of the live-attenuated varicella vaccine, vaccination rates are suboptimal, and outbreaks still occur. Additionally, herpes zoster incidence continues to rise. Severe or fatal complications may result from varicella transmission to at-risk individuals who are exposed to either varicella or herpes zoster. An increasing number of children and adults are receiving immunosuppressive therapies and are at high risk for severe varicella and other complications if exposed to the virus. Clinical management of individuals exposed to varicella-zoster virus should take into consideration the type of exposure, evidence of immunity, and host-immune status with regard to ability to receive varicella vaccination safely. Post-exposure varicella vaccination may prevent infection or mitigate disease severity in persons eligible for vaccination. Post-exposure prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin is indicated for populations ineligible for vaccination, including immunocompromised children and adults, pregnant women, newborns of mothers with varicella shortly before or after delivery, and premature infants. Appropriate post-exposure management of individuals exposed to either varicella or herpes zoster-including assessment of immune status and rapid provision of optimal prophylaxis-can help avoid potentially devastating complications of varicella-zoster virus infection.

Varicella zoster virus in solid organ transplantation: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice

These updated guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice review the diagnosis, prevention, and management of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the pre- and post-transplant period. Primary varicella is an uncommon complication post-solid-organ transplant (SOT), except among pediatric transplant patients and those seronegative for VZV. As the majority of SOT recipients are seropositive for VZV, herpes zoster (HZ) occurs frequently following SOT, particularly among recipients who are older (≥65 years of age) and those receiving more intensive immunosuppression. Transplant providers should aware of the increased risk for HZ-related complications such as dissemination, organ-specific involvement, and post-herpetic neuralgia. Treatment for localized zoster is primarily given as oral regimens, but those with more complicated presentations or those at risk for dissemination should be treated initially with IV therapy. Available antiviral prophylaxis regimens and vaccination strategies for varicella and HZ among these immunosuppressed patients remain a mainstay for prevention in the pre-and post-transplant periods. Finally, we discuss important approaches to addressing post-exposure prophylaxis and infection control practices for those SOT patients with documented VZV infections.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Developing Herpes Zoster Among a Cohort of Patients Diagnosed With Lymphoma at a Community Cancer Center

BACKGROUND

Although most cases of herpes zoster (HZ) are self-limited, lymphoma patients are at greater risk for recurrences and more serious and atypical complications that can delay scheduled anti-lymphoma treatment or prevent its continuation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a cohort study with a retrospective chart review of 415 patients diagnosed with lymphoma to determine the incidence and risk factors for developing HZ among this population. Data collected included date of diagnosis, patient's age, last follow-up or death, stage and presentation of lymphoma, treatment type, baseline laboratory tests, and comorbidities. Patients with a diagnosis of HZ at any time during their course of illness were identified. Patients were divided into various subgroups to analyze their risk of developing HZ individually. The frequencies of each categorical variable were compared with χ² tests. Relative risks were calculated using 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 8.9 years, 46 cases of HZ were identified, with an overall incidence density of 11.1%. Higher rates of HZ were associated with lymphocytopenia (P = .038), presentation (P = .030), stage (P = .034), autologous stem cell transplant (P = .019), multiple courses of chemotherapy (P = .035), and fludarabine therapy (P = .002). Those who received what we labeled as 'highly immunosuppressive chemotherapy' had 2.9 times the risk to develop HZ than those who did not receive this therapy (95% CI, 1.47-5.623; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Receiving highly immunosuppressive chemotherapy is an independent risk factor for developing HZ. Patients with the risk factors described here might benefit from antiviral prophylaxis against HZ.

Increased risk of varicella-zoster virus infection in patients with breast cancer after adjuvant radiotherapy: A population-based cohort study

Background/Purpose

Limited evidence has been obtained on varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection in patients with breast cancer as a complication related to adjuvant radiotherapy. We conducted a cohort study aimed to assess the risk of VZV infection in this patient setting.

Materials and methods

We used the National Health Insurance Research Database to identify 65,981 patients with breast cancer in Taiwan who underwent breast surgery between 2000 and 2011. After a 1:1 propensity score match was obtained between patients with and without radiotherapy, a competing risk regression model was constructed to estimate the hazard ratios and the incidence rate difference (IRD) of VZV infection in the patients with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy and those not receiving radiotherapy.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, the radiotherapy cohort showed a 1.51-fold higher risk (95% confidence interval = 1.06–5.16, p = 0.02, IRD = 4.98/10000 person-years) of subsequent VZV infection than the nonradiotherapy cohort. Furthermore, VZV infection risk was 3.85-fold higher among patients aged >65 years who received radiotherapy than among those of the same age who did not receive radiotherapy (95% confidence interval = 1.1–13.4, p < 0.05, IRD = 11.09/10000 person-years). The risk increased with adjusted hazard ratio of 6.6 (95% confidence interval I = 1.51–28.8, p < 0.05, IRD = 32.01/10,000 person-years) and 7.08 (95% confidence interval = 1.64–30.5, p < 0.01, IRD = 35.72/10,000 person-years) in follow-up period less than 3 months and 3–5 months respectively.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy was associated with an increased risk of VZV infection among patients with breast cancer. The risk was significantly higher in older patient (>65 years old) and/or those who received chemotherapy. Regular clinical follow-up and additional serological testing in the first 5 months after radiotherapy are recommended.

Infections in Heart, Lung, and Heart-Lung Transplantation

Half a century has passed since the first orthotopic heart transplant took place. Surgical innovations allowed for heart, lung, and heart-lung transplantation to save lives of patients with incurable chronic cardiopulmonary conditions. The complexity of the surgical interventions, chronic host health conditions, and antirejection immunosuppressive medications makes infectious complications common. Infections have remained one of the main barriers for successful transplantation and a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Recognition of infections and its management in this setting require outstanding clinical skills since transplant recipients may not exhibit classic signs or symptoms of disease, and laboratory work has some pitfalls. The prevention, identification, and management of infectious diseases complications in this population are a priority to undertake to improve the medical outcomes of transplantation. Herein, we reviewed the historical aspects, epidemiology, and prophylaxis of infections in heart, lung, and heart-lung transplantation. We also discuss the most prevalent organisms affecting the host and the organ systems involved.

"For your eyes only": ophthalmic complications following lung transplantation

Ophthalmic complications in the lung transplant population are a little-known entity. It includes a spectrum of diseases ranging from infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, herpetic keratitis, Pseudallescheria boydii to non-infectious complications such as posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs), cyclosporine retinopathy, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). These diseases can be attributed to high levels of immunosuppression, advanced age, and drug-specific side effects. Underlying comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus may also play a role in the pathogenesis. Patients can present with varied symptoms such as blurry vision, floaters or eye pain. Prompt diagnosis often requires a high index of suspicion. With increasing numbers of transplants being performed worldwide, it is imperative for the pulmonologist and transplant physician to recognize these often subtle symptoms. Any visual symptom should trigger an ophthalmological evaluation in order to manage these complications; some of which pose the risk of systemic dissemination and significant morbidity. The following article provides an in-depth review of the common presenting symptoms, treatments and recent advances related to common ophthalmic complications following lung transplantation. While this article focuses on the lung transplant sub-population, the authors would like to point out that some of these complications are shared by other solid-organ transplants as well, by virtue of their shared immunosuppressive therapies.

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.

Incidence and risk factors for herpes zoster after adult liver transplantation

Purpose

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which occurs frequently in liver transplant recipients with impaired cellular immunity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for HZ after adult liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

In our institution, 993 patients underwent adult LT from January 1997 to December 2013. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence rate of HZ and risk factors for HZ after LT.

Results

Of 993 LT recipients, 101 (10.2%) were diagnosed with HZ. The incidence of HZ at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 6.6%, 9.1%, 10.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. Therefore, we observed that the incidence of HZ after LT was 16.3 per 1,000 person-years. Older age (≥50 years) at LT and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) exposure were independent risk factors of HZ infection after adult LT.

Conclusion

Patients older than 50 years or with MMF exposure are considered to be at high risk for HZ. Therefore, adult liver recipients with such factors should not be given strong immunosuppression treatments.

Utility of ultra-deep sequencing for detection of varicella-zoster virus antiviral resistance mutations

We report the first application of ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) genotypic antiviral testing in a case of acyclovir-resistant VZV infection initially detected by Sanger sequencing within a deeply immunocompromised heart transplant recipient. As added-value compared to Sanger analysis, UDS revealed complex dynamics of viral population under antiviral pressure. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus affecting populations worldwide. VZV is commonly acquired in youth whose primary infection usually manifests as benign varicella (chickenpox). After the initial infection, the virus establishes lifelong latency in sensory ganglia leading to a risk of subsequent reactivation. Reactivation usually results in the development of localized herpes zoster (HZ) lesions, a painful skin rash commonly known as shingles (Cohen, 2013). The incidence and severity of HZ increase with impaired specific cell-mediated immunity mainly as a result of increasing age, malignancy, immunodeficiency, organ transplantation, or immunosuppressive drug therapy (Cohen, 2013; Koo et al., 2014; Pavlopoulou et al., 2015). In particular, HZ remains a significant cause of morbidity among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, especially in patients undergoing heart transplantation (HT) compared with liver, kidney, or lung transplant recipients (Carby et al., 2007; Koo et al., 2014; Pavlopoulou et al., 2015). These particular individuals are at increased risk of primary infection, reactivation followed by dissemination with visceral involvement and associated with bacterial superinfection, and chronic recurrences (Cohen, 2013). VZV infections may also engender debilitating neuralgia among highly immunocompromised patients (Sampathkumar et al., 2009). HT is also associated with the risk of reactivation of other latent viruses belonging to the Herpesviridae family as herpes simplex virus (HSV). Currently licensed drugs to prevent or to cure HSV- or VZV-associated diseases target the viral DNA polymerase (Pol). Acyclovir (ACV) and its prodrug valacyclovir (VACV) are considered as the first-line therapy, whereas foscarnet (FOS) or cidofovir (CDV) constitute alternative options. After primophosphorylation by the viral thymidine kinase (TK), ACV targets the viral DNA polymerase and inhibits the viral genome replication by a chain termination mechanism. According to this mechanism of action, viral mutations conferring resistance to ACV have been mapped both in TK and Pol encoding genes. Viral mutations conferring resistance to FOS and CDV are only detected in Pol gene. VZV ACV-resistance is mostly mediated by TK alterations, consisting in either translational frameshifts, sometimes associated with premature stop codon, or amino acid substitutions. In the remaining cases, amino acid substitutions are detected within Pol (De et al., 2015; Piret and Boivin, 2014). Classically, Sanger sequencing has been recognized as the gold standard for the detection of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) within VZV TK and Pol genes (Perrier et al., 2016; Piret and Boivin, 2014). However, this approach cannot detect minor variants present at a frequency below 20%. Ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) has an enhanced sensitivity compared to Sanger method and allows quantitative evaluation of the viral mutants (Chin et al., 2013). We report here a case of VZV resistant infection in an HT recipient. Our retrospective study aimed at showing the utility of UDS for DRM detection as a complement of Sanger method.

Herpes zoster in kidney transplant recipients: protective effect of anti-cytomegalovirus prophylaxis and natural killer cell count. A single-center cohort study

Despite its impact on quality of life and potential for complications, specific risk and protective factors for herpes zoster (HZ) after kidney transplantation (KT) remain to be clarified. We included 444 patients undergoing KT between November 2008 and March 2013. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations were measured at baseline and months 1 and 6. The risk factors for early (first post-transplant year) and late HZ (years 1-5) were separately assessed. We observed 35 episodes of post-transplant HZ after a median follow-up of 48.3 months (incidence rate: 0.057 per 1000 transplant-days). Median interval from transplantation was 18.3 months. Six patients (17.1%) developed disseminated infection. Postherpetic neuralgia occurred in 10 cases (28.6%). The receipt of anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis with (val)ganciclovir decreased the risk of early HZ [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01-1.13; P-value = 0.062], whereas the natural killer (NK) cell at month 6 was protective for the occurrence of late HZ [aHR (per 10-cells/μl increase): 0.94; 95% CI: 0.88-1.00; P-value = 0.054]. In conclusion, two easily ascertainable factors (whether the patient is receiving anti-CMV prophylaxis and the NK cell count at month 6) might be potentially useful to tailor preventive strategies according to individual susceptibility to post-transplant HZ.

Disruption of Transplant Tolerance by an "Incognito" Form of CD8 T Cell-Dependent Memory

Several approaches successfully achieve allograft tolerance in preclinical models but are challenging to translate into clinical practice. Many clinically relevant factors can attenuate allograft tolerance induction, including intrinsic genetic resistance, peritransplant infection, inflammation, and preexisting antidonor immunity. The prevailing view for immune memory as a tolerance barrier is that the host harbors memory cells that spontaneously cross-react to donor MHC antigens. Such preexisting "heterologous" memory cells have direct reactivity to donor cells and resist most tolerance regimens. In this study, we developed a model system to determine if an alternative form of immune memory could also block tolerance. We posited that host memory T cells could potentially respond to donor-derived non-MHC antigens, such as latent viral antigens or autoantigens, to which the host is immune. Results show that immunity to a model nonself antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), can dramatically disrupt tolerance despite undetectable initial reactivity to donor MHC antigens. Importantly, this blockade of tolerance was CD8⁺ T cell-dependent and required linked antigen presentation of alloantigens with the test OVA antigen. As such, this pathway represents an unapparent, or "incognito," form of immunity that is sufficient to prevent tolerance and that can be an unforeseen additional immune barrier to clinical transplant tolerance.

Preventive Strategies Against Cytomegalovirus and Incidence of α-Herpesvirus Infections in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Cohort Study

We assessed the impact of antiviral preventive strategies on the incidence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections in a nationwide cohort of transplant recipients. Risk factors for the development of HSV or VZV infection were assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression. We included 2781 patients (56% kidney, 20% liver, 10% lung, 7.3% heart, 6.7% others). Overall, 1264 (45%) patients received antiviral prophylaxis (ganciclovir or valganciclovir, n = 1145; acyclovir or valacyclovir, n = 138). Incidence of HSV and VZV infections was 28.9 and 12.1 cases, respectively, per 1000 person-years. Incidence of HSV and VZV infections at 1 year after transplant was 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5-5.8) in patients receiving antiviral prophylaxis versus 12.3% (95% CI 10.7-14) in patients without prophylaxis; this was observed particularly for HSV infections (3% [95% CI 2.2-4] versus 9.8% [95% CI 8.4-11.4], respectively). A lower rate of HSV and VZV infections was also seen in donor or recipient cytomegalovirus-positive patients receiving ganciclovir or valganciclovir prophylaxis compared with a preemptive approach. Female sex (hazard ratio [HR] 1.663, p = 0.001), HSV seropositivity (HR 5.198, p < 0.001), previous episodes of rejection (HR 1.95, p = 0.004), and use of a preemptive approach (HR 2.841, p = 0.017) were significantly associated with a higher risk of HSV infection. Although HSV and VZV infections were common after transplantation, antiviral prophylaxis significantly reduced symptomatic HSV infections.

Infection in Organ Transplantation

The prevention, diagnosis, and management of infectious disease in transplantation are major contributors to improved outcomes in organ transplantation. The risk of serious infections in organ recipients is determined by interactions between the patient's epidemiological exposures and net state of immune suppression. In organ recipients, there is a significant incidence of drug toxicity and a propensity for drug interactions with immunosuppressive agents used to maintain graft function. Thus, every effort must be made to establish specific microbiologic diagnoses to optimize therapy. A timeline can be created to develop a differential diagnosis of infection in transplantation based on common patterns of infectious exposures, immunosuppressive management, and antimicrobial prophylaxis. Application of quantitative molecular microbial assays and advanced antimicrobial therapies have advanced care. Pathogen-specific immunity, genetic polymorphisms in immune responses, and dynamic interactions between the microbiome and the risk of infection are beginning to be explored. The role of infection in the stimulation of alloimmune responses awaits further definition. Major hurdles include the shifting worldwide epidemiology of infections, increasing antimicrobial resistance, suboptimal assays for the microbiologic screening of organ donors, and virus-associated malignancies. Transplant infectious disease remains a key to the clinical and scientific investigation of organ transplantation.

Herpes Zoster reactivation in patients with chronic hepatitis C under treatment with directly acting antiviral agents: A case series

We report a series of cutaneous Herpes Zoster (HZ) reactivation cases in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with directly acting antiviral (DAA) agents. Five cases were detected among 2133 treated patients with DAAs at one of the specialized viral hepatitis treatment centers in Egypt. A control group including 2300 age and sex matched HCV patients who were previously treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin did not show any HZ reactivation reports while on treatment. None of cases had an evidence of immunosuppression or a risk factor for HZ reactivation. The DAAs used regimens were sofosbuvir/daclatasvir in 4 cases and sofosbuvir/simeprevir in one case. HCV clearance with antiviral therapy may bring immune changes causing reactivation of other latent viral infections like HZ. A high index of clinical suspicion may be needed to guarantee early and prompt management of such cases.

Herpes zoster after lung transplantation boosts varicella zoster virus-specific adaptive immune responses

BACKGROUND

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific memory T cells are significantly lower in transplant recipients than in controls. In addition, VZV-specific immunoglobulin G titers are significantly lower after than before transplantation. Data on the incidence and timing of herpes zoster (HZ) after lung transplantation are limited. This study had two aims: first, we investigated the incidence and severity of HZ after lung transplantation; second, we determined the systemic VZV-specific T-cell and B-cell memory responses before and after HZ.

METHODS

The records of 119 patients who underwent transplantation were analyzed for post-transplant HZ. The VZV-specific B-cell and T-cell memory responses of 5 patients before and after HZ were compared with 5 patients without HZ by enzyme-linked immunospot assay and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTS

HZ was clinically diagnosed and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction on blister fluids and/or plasma in 17 transplant recipients. Uncomplicated cutaneous HZ was present in 12 patients, and 5 patients had disseminated HZ, of whom 1 died. The incidence of HZ after transplantation (38.2 cases/1,000 patient-years) was significantly higher than the age-matched healthy population (7-8 cases/1,000 patient-years). The frequency of VZV-specific immunoglobulin G-producing B cells (p = 0.06) and the percentage of VZV-specific CD4 and CD8 memory T cells increased after HZ to higher frequencies than in patients without HZ (p = 0.03). This was mainly attributed to VZV-reactive effector memory CD4 T cells (p = 0.02) and central memory (p = 0.02) and effector memory (p = 0.03) CD8 T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Lung transplant recipients are highly prone to develop HZ with severe complications. Despite deep immunosuppression, HZ boosted their systemic VZV-specific B-cell and T-cell memory responses.

Superior Orbital Fissure Syndrome and Ophthalmoplegia Caused by Varicella Zoster Virus with No Skin Eruption in a Patient Treated with Tumor Necrosis Alpha Inhibitor

Varicella zoster virus lies dormant in the dorsal root ganglia after symptomatic chicken pox infection, usually in childhood. If the virus reactivates in the trigeminal ganglia, it can cause varicella zoster ophthalmicus, which can have severe ocular complications. We report a case of a 73-year-old woman in severe immunosuppression due to treatment with mycophenolate mofetil, glucocorticosteroids and a tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor. The reactivation caused superior orbital fissure syndrome, which has only rarely been described in relation to varicella zoster virus reactivation. In our case, the syndrome was seen along with severe encephalitis.

Longitudinal risk of herpes zoster in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving chemotherapy: A nationwide population-based study

This study investigated the incidence of and risk factors for herpes zoster in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who were receiving anti-lymphoma treatment. The overall incidence density of herpes zoster was 12.21% (472/3865); 11.79% (258/2188) of the patients received conventional chemotherapy and 12.76% (214/1677) of the patients received rituximab-containing chemotherapy. For the patients who received conventional chemotherapy, the risk factors included female gender, multiple courses of chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. For the patients who received rituximab-containing chemotherapy, the risk factors included female gender, diabetes mellitus, multiple courses of chemotherapy, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and higher accumulated rituximab dose. The majority of the herpes zoster episodes occurred within the first two years after the diagnosis of NHL. After adjusting for the propensity score matching, rituximab-containing chemotherapy was not associated with a higher overall incidence density of herpes zoster (P = 0.155). However, the addition of rituximab to conventional chemotherapy increased the short-term risk of herpes zoster with adjusted odd ratios of 1.38 (95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.05–1.81, P = 0.021) and 1.37 (95% CI = 1.08–1.73, P = 0.010) during the 1-year and 2-year follow-up periods, respectively.

Incidence and risk factors for herpes zoster in patients undergoing liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Herpes zoster (HZ) is the most common manifestation of latent varicella zoster virus reactivation, which occurs naturally as a result of aging or in immunocompromised patients. Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for HZ owing to their chronic immunosuppression. Although several reports investigated risk factors for the development of HZ in heart or renal transplantation, data in liver transplantation (LT) are limited.

METHODS

We evaluated clinical data retrospectively in 377 adult patients undergoing LT between January 2005 and December 2012 in our institution. We analyzed the incidence rate of HZ and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) by comparing with the general Japanese population. We additionally investigated risk factors for HZ after LT.

RESULTS

HZ developed in 27 (7.16%) of the 377 patients after LT. The incidence rate of HZ after LT was 17.83 per 1000 person-years, which was significantly higher than in the general Japanese population (SIR = 4.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.13-5.14). Multivariate analysis showed that older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.95; P < 0.001) and exposure to mycophenolate mofetil (HR = 3.03; P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for HZ after LT.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first and largest study, to our knowledge, to investigate the incidence rate of HZ and risk factors for development of HZ after LT in the Japanese population. Further investigations to focus on immunosuppressive regimens to reduce the risk for HZ incidence in this high-risk population could establish a new protocol of immunosuppression after LT.