HSV Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

This research project is studying the pathogenesis of acyclovir resistant HSV in bone marrow and stem cell transplant recipients. HSV infection is a cause of significant morbidity in the post-tranplant period. Such infections are typically treated with acyclovir. Mutations in the viral thymidine kinase (tk) gene are associated with resistance to acyclovir.

The specific aim of this study is to define the clinical correlates asociated with the generation of tk- mutants during acyclovir treatment. In this prospective study, patients who present with either oral or genital lesions will be started on antiviral treatment and the lesions will be swabbed twice daily. Sequential virus cultures will be analyzed using plaque assays to determine whether therapy with acyclovir is associated with increasing proportions of tk- mutants, even in patients who clinically respond to treatment. This study will help to delineate the factors associated with the development of acyclovir resistant HSV mutants.

Report courtesy of Anna Marie Beckmann