Objective laboratory measurements also support the provocative hypothesis.
Epidemiologic study links varicella-zoster virus reactivation to dementia years later
Observational longitudinal study finds correlation.
Shingrix shingles vaccination shown to reduce the risk of dementia
A large UK study compared those who took a shingles vaccine to those who took only flu or Tdap vaccines.
Patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or memory problems
Study does not address whether reactivated herpesviruses might be playing a role in the increased neurologic sequelae.
Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to determine the tropism of MRV in the thymus and how central tolerance is disrupted
A new cell culture model for MRV could offer insights on the development of autoimmunity after neonatal infection.
A systematic review and meta-analysis confirms an association between HHV-6B reactivation and increased mortality after hematopoietic cell transplant
Randomized trials are warranted to evaluate if treating HHV-6B reactivation improves outcomes.
Large study from China identifies adverse outcomes associated with, and risk factors for, HHV-6 encephalitis in post-HSCT patients
Greatly increased risk of death, acute GVHD, transplant-associated microangiopathy found.
After screening 100,000 compounds, Merck identified a potent broad-spectrum herpesvirus antiviral
The new small molecule non-nucleoside inhibitor was effective in both in vitro and in vivo studies although no testing against HHV-6 was reported.
Although 28% of children undergoing chemotherapy develop herpesvirus viremia, there is minimal clinical impact
HHV-6, CMV and HSV1/2 were the most likely to reactivate, but herpesvirus reactivation was just as likely prior to chemotherapy.
Lower levels of torque teno virus correlate with higher HHV-6A viral loads and higher rejection rates in kidney transplantation
Value of this observation in determining prognosis or guiding treatment remains to be studied.
How frequent are HHV-6-related complications with CAR-T cell therapy?
A combination of studies find that both reactivation and disease are infrequent after CAR-T therapy.
Febrile status epilepticus in infants with MRI-confirmed brain abnormalities linked to temporal lobe epilepsy later in life
Surprisingly, although HHV-6B has been linked to febrile seizures, febrile status epilepticus and temporal lobe epilepsy, the report contains no mention of the virus.
HHV-6 & acute pediatric hepatitis of unknown cause: Japan’s experience
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) linked to Japanese cases, but whether HHV-6 was a cofactor is uncertain.
HHV-6 found to be possible etiologic agent in some cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin
Israeli study of 20 pediatric cases occurring in 2021 found more evidence for HHV-6 than for other viruses, including AAV2 and SARS-CoV-2.
Centrilobular necroinflammation associated with pediatric HHV-6+ acute liver failure
Would early treatment with antiviral therapy prevent the need for a liver transplant?