Oncogenic γ Herpesviruses EBV and HHV8 in Kidney Transplantation

Prevalence, type distribution and risk factors for oral HPV in Danish renal transplant recipients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence and type distribution of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) among renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and healthy controls and to examine risk factors for oral HPV among RTRs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During 2016-2017 we recruited 250 RTRs and 250 controls. Oral samples were tested for HPV DNA with INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra II. All participants answered a questionnaire on lifestyle and sexual behaviour, and characteristics of RTRs were obtained from medical files. We assessed prevalence and type distribution of oral HPV. Using logistic regression, the risk of oral HPV and risk factors for oral HPV among RTRs were estimated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Overall, 30 RTRs (12.1%) and 26 controls (10.4%) were oral HPV positive (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.64-2.05). Female RTRs tended to have a higher oral HPV prevalence than controls (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 0.63-4.77), while no difference was observed among men. HPV51 was the commonest genotype. Sexual behaviour tended to be associated with oral HPV among RTRs.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no overall difference in oral HPV prevalence between RTRs and controls, but female RTRs tended to have a higher prevalence of oral HPV than controls.

Impact assessment and investigation of factors associated with herpesviruses viremia in the first year of renal transplantation

The increased risk for opportunistic infections after a renal transplant requires monitoring of viral infections to avoid future complications. Our goal was to investigate the impact and factors associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) viremia in renal transplant recipients. Whole blood samples were collected monthly from 82 patients during the first semester and then quarterly up to 1 year after transplantation. EBV, HCMV, and HHV-6 were detected and quantified by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that EBV and HCMV viremia were detected in 32 patients (39% each), while HHV-6 viremia in only 3 patients (3.7%). EBV was significantly associated with age (P = .050), thymoglobuline induction (P = .019), mTOR inhibitor-based therapy (P = .003), and female gender (P = .044). HCMV was significantly associated with basiliximab induction (P = .015), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based therapy (P = .003) and allograft acute rejection (P = .033). Moreover, HCMV-disease was correlated with MMF-based therapy (P = .021) and female gender (P = .003). In conclusion, EBV and HCMV viremia were associated with different immunosuppressive induction and maintenance strategies. Additionally, higher HCMV viremia (> 10 ⁴ copies/mL) was related to acute allograft rejection.

A single-center experience of post-transplant lymphomas involving the central nervous system with a review of current literature

Background

Central Nervous System (CNS) lymphoma is a rare presentation of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).

Methods

This single center retrospective study reviewed presentations, management and outcomes of CNS lymphomas in kidney transplant patients transplanted 1968 to 2015, and reviews relevant current literature.

Results

We identified 5773 adult kidney transplant recipients of who 90 had a PTLD diagnosis confirmed. CNS disease was diagnosed in 6/90 (7%). Median age at presentation was 60 years and time from transplant 4.5 years. Immunosuppression at diagnosis included mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone without calcineurin inhibitor in 5/6 patients. Histological analysis diagnosed monomorphic disease in 5/6, and one polymorphic case with tissue positive for Epstein-barr virus (EBV) in 5/6 cases. Despite this 2/4 EBV positive cases had no detectable EBV in peripheral blood or CSF at diagnosis. Treatment strategies included reduction in immunosuppression in all, chemotherapy (n=5), radiotherapy (n=3), Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes and Craniotomy (n=2). Patient survival was 40% at 1 year with CTL treated patients surviving beyond three years from diagnosis.

Conclusion

This study supports observational data suggesting MMF treated patients without CNI may have increased risk of disease. Peripheral blood screening for EBV DNAemia does not seem helpful in early identification of those at risk.

Risk of genital warts in renal transplant recipients-A registry-based, prospective cohort study

Genital warts (GWs) are a risk factor for subsequent human papillomavirus (HPV)-related anogenital cancers. In this register-based, prospective cohort study, we estimated the risk of GWs in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) compared with a nontransplanted cohort. In a nationwide database, we identified first-time RTRs in Denmark during 1996 to 2015. For each RTR, 50 age- and sex-matched nontransplanted individuals were selected from the population registry. Information on GWs, sociodemographic characteristics, HPV vaccination, and other causes of immunosuppression was retrieved from registries. We estimated the cumulative incidence of GWs and used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of GWs in RTRs vs non-RTRs. We included 3268 RTRs and 162 910 non-RTRs without GWs 1 year before baseline. RTRs had higher hazard of GWs than non-RTRs (HR = 3.30; 95% confidence interval, 2.76-3.93, adjusted for sex, age, education, and income). The increased hazard of GWs compared with non-RTRs was more pronounced in female than in male RTRs. Although not statistically significant, the hazard tended to be higher in RTRs with functioning grafts compared with RTRs on dialysis after graft failure. The hazard of GWs was increased <1 year after transplantation and remained increased during ≥10 years. In conclusion, RTRs had substantially higher risk of GWs than non-RTRs.