A fifth case of limbic encephalitis associated with GAD antibodies and HHV-6 infection has been reported, this time in an immunocompetent woman with chromosomally integrated HHV-6, epilepsy, and psychosis. The patient’s condition improved (with a drop in GAD antibody titers and stabilization of psychotic symptoms) in response to three weeks of antiviral therapy but relapsed when antiviral therapy was withdrawn.
HHV-6 & 7 found in spinal fluid of immunocompetent children suspected of CNS infection
An Italian study on immunocompetent children with suspected CNS infections found HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA in 4.2% and 4.8% of 304 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, respectively. Although once considered rare in the immunocompetent, recent studies with more sensitive methods have found HHV-6 in the CSF of 4-17% of immunocompetent children with seizures or suspected CNS infections.
Drug-induced liver injury and HHV-6 reactivation without rash or fever
Another case of drug induced liver injury accompanied by HHV-6 reactivation has been reported in Japan, the second such case without exanthema to be described. An earlier case was reported last year (Fujita 2015). The authors suggest that drug-induced liver injury cases be investigated for HHV-6 reactivation when liver dysfunction begins several weeks after the initiation of a new drug typically associated with hypersensitivity syndromes.
Mystery: Why was ciHHV-6A integration lost with tumor formation?
Nicola Royle’s laboratory at the University of Leicester in the UK has reported that a ciHHV-6A patient with an HHV-8-negative primary effusion-like lymphoma had fully integrated genomes in the blood, but lost the integration in the tumor. Did the release of HHV-6A genomes play a role in tumor formation?
76% of Ugandan infants acquire HHV-6B in the first year
A new study led by Soren Gantt, MD from the University of British Columbia and Lawrence Corey, MD of the University of Washington revealed risk factors for transmission and symptoms of primary human herpesvirus infections among Ugandan infants.
Saliva DNA load for HHV-6 (but not HHV-7) elevated in caregivers of patients with dementia
Investigators associated with a dementia center at Kobe University Hospital found that saliva HHV-6 DNA levels may serve as an objective marker for caregiver exhaustion. The saliva HHV-6 DNA levels in caregivers (log 3.04 copies/ ml) were significantly higher than in those of non-caregivers (2.78 copies/ml).
Virus-specific immunotherapy for transplant patients with primary immune deficiencies
A group from Baylor College of Medicine reviewed the efficacy of treating viral infections in transplant patients with primary immunodeficiencies using their viral-specific T lymphocytes. A total of 36 patients were treated with these immunotherapy infusions before or after undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and a complete or partial antiviral response were seen in 86% of patients with CMV, 76% of patients with EBV and all patients with adenovirus or HHV-6.
Highlights from the 9th International Conference on HHV-6 & 7
A summary of the highlights from the 9th International conference on HHV-6 & 7, held in Boston in November 2015, has been published. This summary may be downloaded free of charge from the Foundation web site at this link, from May 25 through August 1st. Many thanks to Anthony Komaroff, MD and the Conference Co-Chairs Louis Flamand, PhD and Philip Pellett, PhD for preparing this summary and to the editors of the journal for making the summary available free of charge for this period.
Can depression, psychiatric disorders and fatigue be triggered by a neurovirulent latent HHV-6B protein?
Three virologists led by Kazuhiro Kondo, MD, PhD, a professor of virology at Jikei University School of Medicine, have filed a patent on a method to diagnose and treat prevent mood disorders which he says are initiated by latent and neurovirulent HHV-6B residing in glial cells, and that this condition can be treated effectively with nasal sprays, using the olfactory nerve as a route to the brain. Dr. Kondo has named this protein SITH-1 or “small protein encoded by intermediate state transcript”.
HHV-6 as a cause of liver failure in an immunocompetent patient with hypersensitivity
A group from University of Chicago Medicine urged physicians to consider testing for HHV-6 in cases of unexplained liver failure in immunocompetent patients, especially those with skin rash and upper respiratory symptoms, citing evidence from past studies as well as their own recent case experience.
High prevalence of HHV-6B & HPV in invasive pituitary adenomas
A recent study from investigators at Chongqing University in China explored the involvement of three viruses in the progression of pituitary adenomas (PA). The authors suggest that the HPV-16 and HHV-6 viruses activate the TLR3/ NF-kB signaling pathway which in turn contributes to the progression and proliferation of invasive pituitary adenomas.
Superinfection of HHV-6A in ciHHV6A patients with recurrent cardiac disease: a full genome analysis
A group led by Ursula Gompels from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, University of London, did next generation sequencing on three ciHHV6A cardiac patients and found superinfections of HHV-6A in two of the three. They characterized the first full genome sequence of ciHHV-6A and demonstrated the inherited ciHHV6 genome was similar but distinct from known exogenous (community acquired) strains of HHV-6A .
HHV-6 & 7 potentiate CMV infection in transplant patients
A new study suggests that HHV-6 and HHV-7 are important co-factors for the development of CMV infection post-transplant in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients. Additionally, the presence of HHV-7 and CMV together may result in more severe infections than either virus alone.
Joshua Hill wins the HHV-6 Foundation Caroline B. Hall Young Investigator Award
Dr. Joshua Hill, a research associate in Fred Hutch’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, was awarded the Caroline B. Hall Young Investigator Award at the International HHV-6 & 7 Conference in Boston for his work on HHV-6.