Specific autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes for chronic varicella in a liver transplanted child

Infections by herpesviruses may have severe complications in liver transplant patients. Although prophylactic varicella zoster virus vaccination is strongly recommended and widely applied, severe infection may still occur. We report the case of systemic chronic varicella, which developed in a liver allograft recipient, unresponsive to antiviral drug treatment, successfully treated by varicella zooster-specific CTL. Graft failure ensued, likely, because of massive cytolysis of infected hepatocytes. The patient, who was re-transplanted in the absence of signs of varicella zooster reactivation, is now well and disease free 3 yr after second liver transplant.