International survey of human herpes virus 8 screening and management in solid organ transplantation.

Alessandra, Mularoni; Mikulska, Malgorzata; Giannella, Maddalena; Adamoli, Lucia; Slavin, Monica; Van Delden, Christian; Garcia, Jose Maria Aguado; Cervera, Carlos; Grossi, Paolo Antonio

BACKGROUND HHV-8/Kaposi Sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) has been associated with a broad spectrum of diseases in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Primary donor-derived infection can be associated with severe and rapidly fatal non-neoplastic disease, and diagnosis is made with high HHV-8 DNAemia. METHODS We carried out an international survey to investigate the current approach to HHV-8 screening and management in SOT since a protocol has not been established by international guidelines. RESULTS A total of 51 transplant centers from 15 countries filled out the survey. HHV-8-associated diseases in SOT have been diagnosed during the previous 5 years in 67% of centers. Pre-transplant serological screening is performed in 17 centers (33%) and post-transplant HHV-8 nucleic acid testing (NAT) monitoring is performed in 21 centers (41%). Performing HHV-8 NAT monitoring and serological screening were found associated with having diagnosed in the previous 5 years a non-malignant HHV-8-associated disease. CONCLUSIONS Serological pre-transplant screening of donors and recipients and post-transplant HHV-8 NAT monitoring recommendations should be standardized. Even though serological assays are not optimal, they could contribute to increasing knowledge on epidemiology and management of HHV-8 associated diseases after SOT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.