Fatal ongoing human cytomegalovirus reactivation during high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation

J Med Virol. 2009 May;81(5):857-60. doi: 10.1002/jmv.21440.

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation can cause a wide range of complications in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, ranging from pneumonia to graft failure. Although reactivations are usually seen in the early post-transplant period, ongoing and untreated HCMV reactivation at the time of high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support is an exceedingly rare circumstance whose consequences remain largely unknown. This case report describes a patient who underwent high-dose melphalan and autologous transplantation with unknown active HCMV replication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating* / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating* / therapeutic use
  • Cytomegalovirus / drug effects
  • Cytomegalovirus / physiology*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melphalan* / administration & dosage
  • Melphalan* / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Transplantation, Autologous / adverse effects*
  • Virus Activation*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Melphalan