Herpesvirus co-infections, particularly HHV-6 and CMV, cause severe lymphopenia, pneumonia, and an increased risk of acquiring bacterial and fungal infections in non-transplant acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy.
An explanation for why HHV-6 reactivation and DRESS lead to autoimmunity
Patients with DRESS/DIHS hypersensitivity reactions and active HHV-6 often develop autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroiditis. Investigators at National Taiwan University Hospital believe that IP-10 is key to this process.
Oral brincidofovir prophylaxis for CMV decreased incidence of HHV-6B viremia
Allogenic transplant patients who received prophylactic oral brincidofovir as part of a CMV trial had a reduced HHV-6B reactivation and lower viral loads.
iciHHV-6 may modulate human gene expression
A Japanese group found that ciHHV6 genes encoding for immunoglobulins were decreased in ciHHV6 individuals, possibly modulating immune responses.
HHV-6A, HHV-6B, and HHV-7 have differential impact on intracellular DNA sensors of NK cells
Cytokine and chemokine responses were very similar in HHV-6B and HHV-7 infections. The results were starkly different for HHV-6A.
Multiplex FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis assay is useful for diagnosing HHV-6 encephalitis
This multiplex qualitative test for cerebrospinal fluid helps physicians diagnose HHV-6 encephalitis quickly, but interpretation must take into account imaging, ciHHV-6 status and other markers.
University of Washington’s Clinical Laboratory in the News
Keith Jerome and Alex Greninger’s virology lab at University of Washington was one of the first in the nation with a test for SARS CoV-2 and they are credited with helping to identify the first confirmed US case of the virus in January. Keith Jerome, MD, PhD, Director, and Alex Greninger, MD, PhD, Assistant Director of the University of Washington …
New humanized mouse model mimics HHV-6B pathogenesis
Researchers led by Yasuko Mori of Kobe University in Japan have developed an animal model will be useful for studying the pathogenicity of HHV-6B in conditions such as acute GVHD and idiopathic pneumonia
Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis implicates HHV-6B in DIHS/DRESS.
RNA-Seq analysis of cells from skin and blood identified both HHV-6 and JAK-STAT pathways inhibitors as potential targets. Central memory CD4+T cells were enriched with HHV-6B.
Clonally expanded CD8 T cells in spinal fluid of Alzheimer’s patients suggest an adaptive immune response to pathogens
Researchers at the NIH used RNA-Seq cells from skin and blood to study the underlying mechanisms in DIHS/DRESS and identified both HHV-6 and JAK-STAT pathways as potential targets. Central memory CD4+T cells were enriched with HHV-6B.
Comprehensive annotations of HHV-6A/B reveal novel genomic features
Hundreds of new open reading frames were identified in a comprehensive Weizman Institute study that has generated a complete, unbiased atlas of the HHV-6A/B proteome.
HHV-6A detected in the skin biopsies of systemic sclerosis patients
A group led by Elisabetta Caselli at University of Ferrara discovered HHV-6A in the skin and elevated levels of HHV6-B in the peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis patients
NINDS/NIH investigators find very little HHV-6 RNA or DNA in either Alzheimer’s or control brains
A team led by Steven Jacobson, PhD at NINDS analyzed RNA-seq datasets from 901 brains, and found only 1.2% of Alzheimer’s patients and 0.4% of controls positive for HHV-6 RNA. They also found HHV-6 DNA in less than 4% of samples tested by ddPCR.
The debate continues over RNA-seq analysis of HHV-6A in Alzheimer’s
Two groups have challenged the widely-publicized 2018 study in 2018, that found increased HHV-6A & 7 abundance and an association with clinical and pathology scores in Alzheimer’s. The topic has become the focus vigorous debate.
Low sodium or SIADH may be an early indicator of HHV-6 encephalitis
A systematic review suggests that sodium imbalance is associated with HHV-6 encephalitis and syndrome of inappropriate diuretic hormone (SIADH) could serve as an early warning