Organ Transplantation Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Organ Transplantation, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery.

Varicella infection after heart and lung transplantation: a single-center experience.

Carby M, Jones A, Burke M, Hall A, Banner N

Department of Transplantation, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex, United Kingdom. m.carby@rbht.nhs.uk

Disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection after organ transplantation in adults is a rare but serious event causing significant morbidity and mortality. We describe our 10-year experience of 13 cases in a single center, including risk factors for infection, lack of protection from pre-existing anti-varicella-zoster virus antibodies, and unusual modes of presentation, including disseminated intravascular coagulation. We also report our preliminary observation of resolution of infection without sequelae in 4 patients with severe disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection who were treated with the combination of intravenous acyclovir and polyspecific intravenous immunoglobulin.

Published 3 April 2007 in J Heart Lung Transplant, 26(4): 399-402.
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