Varicella-zoster infection after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: Incidence, risk factors and prevention with low-dose aciclovir and ganciclovir

Abstract

We examined the incidence of herpes varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection in 151 patients undergoing allogeneic BMT between August 1990 and September 1997 and who survived at least 3 months. Median follow-up was 17 (range 3.3-80.7) months. Herpes simplex virus antibody positive (HSV+) patients received aciclovir 1200 mg p.o. daily or 750 mg i.v. daily, in divided doses from day 0 to engraftment. Ganciclovir (5 mg/kg i.v. three times per week) was given in CMV+ patients (or if the donor was CMV+ from engraftment to day 84. Ganciclovir was continued or recommenced if a dose of greater than 20 mg of prednisone was used for the treatment of GVHD otherwise aciclovir was recommenced. In HSV+ pati..