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.
Brincidofovir fails Phase III CMV trial. Did physicians mistake diarrhea for GVHD?
Chimerix announced that the Phase III trial of brincidofovir has failed to meet its primary endpoint of suppressing CMV infection through week 24 after hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients. Although the drug showed impressive suppression of CMV infections during the 14 week trial, infections soared during the 10-week observation period that followed. One theory presented by the company’s CEO is that physicians may have mistaken drug related diarrhea for GHVD and administered unnecessary steroids.
Specific NK Cell subsets Associated with HHV-6 Infection in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) has been associated with several autoimmune diseases. A recent study led by Rizzo and Caselli have found a possible link to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT). They report that HHV-6 infection correlated with higher levels of a particular type of NK cell associated with a potent release of cytokines.
Higher Loads of HHV-6B Found in the Brain Autopsies of Patients with Unspecified Encephalopathy
Autopsy brain samples from 51 controls and 57 patients who died with encephalopathy of unknown origin were tested for HHV-6 & HHV-7 using immunohistochemistry, nested and real time PCR.
Fatal HHV-6 pediatric myocarditis following immunosuppression
A case report published by a group at the University of Minnesota details two cases of fatal myocarditis associated with HHV-6 in two immunosuppressed children.
HHV-6B found in 6% of chronic and recurrent lymphadenopathy cases
A group of Italian investigators have determined that a subset of patients with lymphadenopathy have active HHV-6B infections.
Philip Pellett wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Philip Pellett, PhD, a Professor and Interim Chair of Immunology and Microbiology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, was awarded the HHV-6 Foundation’s Dharam Ablashi Lifetime Achievement Award at the 9th International Conference on HHV-6 & 7.