Influenza B virus

9-year-old donor had been febrile and probably had a seizure on the day of a submersion injury. Went on to donate organs after a 60 hour admission to hospital; his nasopharyngeal aspirate was positive for Influenza B virus by immunofluorescence, later also confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Lungs, kidneys and liver had been accepted. LUNG: Recipient was a 14 year old girl who had received seasonal influenza vaccination. Widespread crackles were noted on chest auscultation on post operative day 0; she developed hypoxia and required assisted ventilation. Chest x-ray demonstrated diffuse bilateral interstitial infiltrates. BAL was positive for influenza B virus by direct immunofluorescence and culture on post operative days 0 and 1. She received 10 days of Oseltamivir and made good recovery. LIVER: Recipient was a 8 year old boy, received 10 days of Oseltamivir. No signs or symptoms of influenza illness at any point. KIDNEY: Recipient was a 14 year old boy who had not received seasonal influenza vaccination in that year. A biopsy of the kidney graft was reported to be positive for Influenza B by PCR but this is an unsual result and no further details were provided by the authors. The patient developed fever and respiratory distress 30 hours post transplant but extensive investigations in blood, respiratory secretions and kidney biopsy were negative for Influenza B; there was no subsequent serological indication of Influenza infection. Oseltamivir was given for 6 days. The diagnosis of influenza B in this recipient is doubtful.