Two variants of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) have been described, variants A and B (Yoshikawa, 2004). The present study analysed cryo-conserved plasma samples of 82 patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for HHV-6 DNA by specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for variant A and variant B in order to answer three questions: is haematopoietic engraftment delayed in patients with HHV-6A or HHV-6B infections during marrow aplasia? Are HHV-6A or HHV-6B infections associated with an increased risk for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)? Which risk factors for HHV-6A or HHV-6B reactivation after allogeneic SCT can be delineated? Patients and methodsA total of 82 consecutive patients who received an allogeneic SCT in our unit between January 1998 and March 2001 were included in the analysis. Their characteristics are summarised in Table I. Supportive care and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were carried out in a standardised manner as published (Schetelig et al, 2003). Samples of heparinised blood, which had originally been taken for monitoring CMV infections, were analysed retrospectively. The procedures for the separation of plasma, and for the identification and quantification of HHV-6A and HHV-6B DNA in the plasma have been described elsewhere (Wilborn et al, 1994;Nitsche et al, 2001). HHV-6 infection was defined as the detection of HHV-6 DNA in plasma, early HHV-6 infections were defined as those occurring before day 28. Platelet and neutrophil engraftment were defined as the first of three subsequent days with unsupported platelet counts >20 · 10 9 /l or with neutrophil counts >0AE5 · 10 9 /l after SCT. GVHD was classified according to common clinical criteria (Przepiorka et al, 1995 SummaryThe clinical significance of human herpesvirus (HHV-6) infections after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains controversial. We analysed cryoconserved plasma samples from 82 patients after allogeneic SCT by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for HHV-6 variants A and B. Platelet engraftment was delayed in patients with HHV-6B infections but not with HHV-6A infections detected before day +28. In multivariate analysis early HHV-6B infections and the type of conditioning were associated with platelet engraftment. In conclusion, the two variants of HHV-6 should be studied separately; early infections with HHV-6B may contribute to delayed platelet engraftment after allogeneic SCT.

Research on hospital nursing services productivity is rare, especially in Germany. The conceptual framework developed in this study builds on established knowledge in service productivity research. The theoretical findings have been advanced and adapted to the context of German hospital nursing services. The presented productivity model represents a unique combination of services and nursing services research, which did not exist so far. By operationalisation of the model's components it can be used as the basis for further empirical -research.

Osteosynthesis of the coronoid process using the novel plate is mechanically similar to the mini L-plate. Both plates were superior to osteosynthesis with cannulated screws.

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