VIRAL-INFECTIONS AFTER PEDIATRIC LIVER-TR ANSPLANTATION

From December 1984 to August 1993, 16 children underwent to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT): 9 were affected by extraepatic biliary a tresia, 3 by Byler disease, 2 by Alagille Syndrome, and 2 by hepatocel lular carcinoma. They had a follow-up of 40,87+/-26,71 months (means+/ -SEM). 11/16 presented viral infections: during the first month 23%; u ntil the third month 3%, and Inter 74%. The more rappresented viruses were Herpes viruses and specifically the CMV during the first month af ter transplantation. These data suggest an increased risk for primary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) exposure (seropositive allograft into a seronega tive recipient) early after OLT; Enter were more rappresented Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.