The incidence of epstein-barr virus, cytomegalovirus and adenovirus infections in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Viral infections are common after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and may result fatal complications. To investigate the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and adenovirus infections, 35 pediatric patients undergoing stem cell transplantation were included in this study between May 2014 and May 2016. Patients were monitored by quantitative real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test for CMV, EBV and adenovirus viral loads weekly for 100 days and once a month up to 1 year. Of patients, 30 received allogeneic HSCT and 5 autologous HSCT. CMV infection was found in 24 (80%), ADV infection in 11 (36.7%) and EBV infection in 8 (26.7%) of allogeneic HSCT patients. In this group, CMV DNA viral load in 8 (26.7%), EBV DNA in 1 (3.3%) and ADV DNA 1 (3.3%) was higher than 1000 copies/mL required for preemptive treatment. Among 5 autologous HSCT recipients, CMV DNA was detected in 2 patient, EBV DNA in 5 (in two case >1000 copies/mL) and ADV DNA in 2 (in one case >1000 copies/mL). Preemptive treatment was given 11 (CMV 6, EBV 2, ADV 1, CMV-EBV 1 and CMV-ADV 1) of total 35 patients and only 2 (5.7%) were died due to viral infection. As a result, early diagnosis of viral infections by prospective monitoring of viral loads in HSCT patients would be effective in preventing the progression to disease by ensuring timely initiation of preemptive therapy.