Solid organ transplant-associated lymphocytic choriomeningitis, United States, 2011

Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Aug;18(8):1256-62. doi: 10.3201/eid1808.120212.

Abstract

Three clusters of organ transplant-associated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) transmissions have been identified in the United States; 9 of 10 recipients died. In February 2011, we identified a fourth cluster of organ transplant-associated LCMV infections. Diabetic ketoacidosis developed in the organ donor in December 2010; she died with generalized brain edema after a short hospitalization. Both kidneys, liver, and lung were transplanted to 4 recipients; in all 4, severe posttransplant illness developed; 2 recipients died. Through multiple diagnostic methods, we identified LCMV infection in all persons, including in at least 1 sample from the donor and 4 recipients by reverse transcription PCR, and sequences of a 396-bp fragment of the large segment of the virus from all 5 persons were identical. In this cluster, all recipients developed severe illness, but 2 survived. LCMV infection should be considered as a possible cause of severe posttransplant illness.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney / virology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / virology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / virology
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / diagnosis
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / mortality
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / transmission*
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / virology*
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / genetics
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / isolation & purification*
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tissue Donors
  • United States / epidemiology