Hepatitis due to human herpesvirus 6B after hematopoietic cell transplantation and a review of the literature

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV‐6B) is an opportunistic pathogen associated with a growing number of complications in immunocompromised patients. Multiple reports of HHV‐6B‐associated hepatitis following primary HHV‐6 infection and liver transplantation have appeared, but this has only been well documented in 1 patient after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This report describes a case of acute hepatitis likely caused by HHV‐6B in an HCT recipient who was successfully treated with ganciclovir. HHV‐6B DNA was demonstrated in plasma and hepatic tissue using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical stains. Chromosomal integration was ruled out. We review the literature reporting HHV‐6B‐associated hepatitis, which may be an underappreciated cause of liver disease after HCT.