In a recent study published in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, a group from Kyorin University School of Medicine in Tokyo sought to comprehensively record the dynamics of key herpesviruses beyond the acute stage of SJS/TEN. While EBV loads were higher in patients not receiving systemic corticosteroids, CMV and HHV-6 loads were higher in those receiving them.
HMGB-1 found to be preferentially elevated in DIHS/DRESS: the key to HHV-6 reactivation?
A group of investigators in Japan have determined that HMGB-1, an inflammatory cytokine released in response to trauma, stress, and surgery, is highly elevated in DIHS/DRESS patients.
HHV-6 reactivation predicts acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD)
A group from Tokyo Medical University has determined that low level HHV-6 reactivation, but not CMV, EBV or HHV-7 reactivation, is a predictive marker for the development of grade 2-4 acute GVHD after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Risk of HHV-6 encephalopathy linked to a specific class I HLA-B allele
A group from Japan has conducted a retrospective study of 130 patients who underwent stem cell transplantation in an attempt to identify a risk factor for the development of encephalopathy.
Fatal HHV-6 encephalitis in children with POLG mitochondrial disorders
HHV-6 encephalitis as a trigger in children with POLG mitochondrial disorders? Two cases of fatal Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome
HHV-6A protein identified in as the target of HHV-6 specific oligoclonal bands in MS
HHV-6A major capsid protein identified in CSF of MS patients: a case of molecular mimicry?
HHV-6B: an underappreciated cause of hepatitis in HCT
New article describes acute HHV-6B hepatitis in an HCT recipient and reviews the current literature
New assay shows promise for diagnosis of low-grade HHV-6 infection and ciHHV-6
Two papers published this month highlight the potential of the new 3rd generation PCR assays in the field of HHV-6 diagnostics.
New mouse model of HHV-6A CNS infection developed
New model of HHV-6A infection demonstrates persistent abortive infection and neuroinflammation via TLR9
HHV-6 saliva DNA levels in chemotherapy patients lowered by mushroom extract
New findings suggest salivary HHV-6 levels may be a good biomarker of QOL in patients during the course of chemotherapy.
HHV-6 may play a significant role in patients with Bell’s Palsy
Study finds high prevelence, high viral loads of HHV-6 in patients with Bell’s Palsy
HHV-6B protein DR6 identified as inducer of cell cycle arrest in G2/M
Dr. Hollsberg’s team at Aarhus University in Denmark has identified the protein responsible for this crucial mechanism of cell-cycle specific interruption.
TNF-α predicts HHV-6 reactivation and disease progression in patients with DIHS/DRESS
While elevated TNF-a detected at the early onset of disease is a strong indicator for the early recognition of HHV-6 reactivation, this finding also reflects important therapeutic information that could be used as an early diagnostic marker of DIHS/DRESS.
Mixed and compartmentalized infections found in Japanese stem cell transplant patients
A team of Japanese investigators led by Tetsushi Yoshikawa found evidence of mixed infections of human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) in two out of 15 stem cell transplant patients.
Understanding the association between ciHHV-6 and HIV disease
HIV+ individuals with ciHHV-6 may experience lower severity HIV disease.