A prospective study authored by Joshua Hill and Danielle Zerr determined that higher than average HHV-6B DNA levels increased the odds of developing delirium after cord blood transplantation (CBT) by almost three fold. Patients with DNA loads in the top quartile had a 4.5 fold increase in delirium.
HHV-6B associated with severe GVHD and may explain “fever of unknown origin” in 30% of pediatric stem cell transplant patients
HHV-6 may be the cause of “fever of unknown origin” in 30% of stem cell transplant (SCT) patients. By the third week after SCT, 70% of HHV-6 positive patients had a skin rash, compared to 39% of HHV-6 negative patients.
New research shows HLA modulation caused by acute HHV-6A infection of mesothelial cells
HHV-6A infection of mesothelial cells causes HLA molecule modulation. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that human mesothelial cells are susceptible to HHV-6A infection. They also show that the virus causes modulated HLA expression on the cell surface, inducing the de novo expression of HLA class II and HLA-G
HSCT patients with HHV-6 reactivation have significantly worse survival rates and higher rates of acute GVHD
A group from Sapporo Medical University studied 105 post HSCT patients and determined that 7 developed CNS dysfunction in the first 42 days after transplant. Six out of the 7 were positive for HHV-6, but none of the other 12 pathogens tested. Four or 3.8% of the population were diagnosed with HHV-6 encephalitis.
Josh Pritchett wins American Society of Hematology award for work on HHV-6 in transplant patients
Former HHV-6 Foundation staffer and current medical student Josh Pritchett has been named a 2015 National Honors Award recipient by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) for his work on HHV-6 in bone marrow transplant patients.