ciHHV-6 is a risk factor for angina pectoris
In an article published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Louis Flamand’s team has described a relationship between inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (iciHHV-6) and the development of angina pectoris.
HHV-6B-induced neutropenia in primary infection associated with specific chemokines
In an article published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, Tetsushi Yoshikawa’s team from Fujita Health University School of Medicine determined that the severe neutropenia in primary HHV-6B infection is tied to reduced platelet counts, lower RANTES and higher levels of MCP-1, MIG and IP-10.
HHV-6 Reactivation Tied to acute GvHD and Steroid Administration
A large-scale multiplex PCR assay developed by a team in Japan was used to study 13 DNA viruses in 105 allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. They found that patients treated with steroids had a significantly higher risk of HHV-6 reactivation (p=0.027), and that HHV-6 was the only virus tied to the onset of acute GVHD (p=0.016).
HHV-6 can cause “idiopathic” pneumonia
A pivotal study, led by Michael Boeckh at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has determined that occult infections contribute to 57% of all cases of “idiopathic” pneumonia syndrome (IPS), a condition previously assumed to be non-infectious. HHV-6 was the dominant pathogen representing 29% of cases.
Pathogenic role for HHV-6B in in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Japanese investigators published findings suggesting that HHV-6B plays a pathogenic role in epilepsy by enhancing gene expression that induces neuroinflammation and sclerosis in the temporal lobe. HHV-6 DNA levels were significantly higher in the resected tissue of epilepsy patients with sclerosis compared to those without it.
Specific chemokine polymorphism may protect against HHV-6 reactivation and aGVHD in HSCT
A genetic polymorphism of the chemokine CXCL12 was found to be associated with a lower incidence of acute GVHD. Furthermore patients with this polymorphism or receiving cells with the polymorphism were less prone to early HHV-6 reactivation.
HHV-6 induced kidney damage in drug hypersensitivity
A new case study suggests that HHV-6 might play a role in the multi-organ failure that often follows extreme cases of drug hypersensitivity. Although there have been many studies documenting HHV-6 viremia in drug hypersensitivity (DIHS/DRESS) cases, this is the first to examine an affected organ for signs of HHV-6 DNA and proteins. The mortality rate from severe drug hypersensitivity …
ciHHV-6 found in adrenocortical tumors
Since the discovery of chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6), investigators have wondered about the potential consequences of having chromosome integrated HHV-6 in the genome.
Joshua Hill awarded a 5-year grant to study HHV-6
Congratulations to Joshua Hill, MD, Acting Instructor at the University of Washington and Research Associate at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, who has won a K23 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study HHV-6 in lower respiratory tract disease and chromosomally integrated HHV-6 after stem cell transplantation (SCT).
Elevated levels of HHV-6 DNA in Alzheimer’s, linked to variants in antiviral genes
A group from Italy’s University of Bologna report that genetic defects in antimicrobial defense mechanisms can leave some individuals vulnerable to sub-clinical infections that lead to cognitive decline as they age. They found variations in specific antiviral genes that correlate with HHV-6 DNA levels in brain tissue and blood from patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Poor Outcome in ICU Patients with HHV-6 & CMV
Intensive care (ICU) patients with co-infections of HHV-6 and CMV are 7.5x more likely to die or have an extended stay in the hospital. On the other hand, single infections with either HHV-6 or CMV did not significantly impact outcome.
Interview with Tetsushi Yoshikawa: Treating HHV-6B seizures
Tetsushi Yoshikawa and Yoshiki Kawamura just published an important study linking HHV-6B in brain tissues to sclerosis in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. We asked him about this future plans and whether he plans to treat these patients.
Comprehensive new ASM review on HHV-6 (Free Download)
A comprehensive review of HHV-6 has been published in the American Society for Microbiology’s Clinical Microbiology Reviews.
Multiplex PCR; HHV-6 loads higher with steroids
A large-scale multiplex PCR assay developed by a team in Japan was used to study 13 DNA viruses in 105 allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Their findings identify HHV-6 as the most common virus (found in 60% of all patients), and also as the only virus tied to the onset of acute GVHD (p=0.016). Interestingly, HHV-6 reactivation was associated …