Investigators led by Eain Murphy of Cleveland Clinic have identified a viral microRNA (miRNA) for HHV-6A, named miR-U86, that targets the HHV-6A intermediate early gene U86.
Interview with Dr. Pitt Niehusmann: HHV-6 & MTLE
Pitt Niehusmann has completed the largest study to date on the question of whether viruses play a role in refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), with 346 samples analyzed. We asked Pitt a few questions about his work.
New breakthrough in understanding HHV-6 cell tropism
Bhupesh Prusty and Thomas Rudel of University of Wuerzburg, Germany, in collaboration with Dr. Yasuko Mori of Japan, have shed new light on the long-standing mystery of HHV-6 cell tropsim.
RANBP2 mutation tied to HHV-6 acute encephalopathy
Two new reviews conclude that HHV-6 acute necrotizing encephalopathy is tied to a mutation of the RANBP2 gene.
CiHHV-6A is the dominant virus in malignancy and inflammatory disease cases, while ciHHV-6B is the dominant virus in myocarditis cases
A sequencing study led by Ursula Gompels of London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, found that 95% (19/21) of Czech ciHHV-6 malignancy and inflammatory disease patients had ciHHV6A while 65% (13/20) of a German myocarditis cohort had ciHHV-6B. The authors propose that this divergence suggests different disease links for the two viruses.
Special Issue on Roseoloviruses!
The December 2014 issue of Current Opinions in Virology features a “Special Section on Roseoloviruses.” Top experts in the field contributed a set of 14 reviews that span a wide range of critical topics encompassing the molecular biology and the
Infants with congenital HHV-6 infection have lower Bayley scores at 12 months
ciHHV-6 infants score 4 points lower than controls on the Bayley Mental Development Index
Prevalence of betaherpesviruses in Sub-Saharan Africa
A group from University College London and the University of Zambia has reported that 20.5% of hospitalized infants were positive for HHV-6B, second only to CMV (24.3%). In contrast to previous studies, HHV-6A was found in only 0.3% of patients.
UK study reports ciHHV-6 not associated with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Scottish study finds inheritance of ciHHV-6 does not increase the risk of developing cHL
HHV-6 DNA found in the spinal fluid of 8.8% of infants evaluated for encephalitis
Tehran University of Medical Sciences reports HHV-6 DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of 8.8% of 114 infants suspected of encephalitis.
Expert Opinion: Dr. Louis Flamand calls for screening of transplant organs and cells for ciHHV-6 status
Dr. Flamand, a professor and molecular virologist at Université Laval in Quebec city, has written an editorial calling for screening of organ donors for ciHHV-6 status and careful monitoring of recipients of ciHHV-6 donor tissues for signs of active HHV-6 infection and HHV-6 antigen-induced immune rejection. Flamand also questions whether solid organs and stem cells derived from persons with ciHHV-6 should be used in transplantation.
HHV-6A reactivation in a ciHHV-6A transplant patient with encephalitis
Experts emphasize need for larger studies to determine the impact of ciHHV-6 on patient outcomes
HHV-6 infection elevates MMP-9 & TIMP-1 causing BBB dysfunction, febrile seizures
A group led by Takashi Ichiyama has determined that serum levels of both matrix metallopreinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproeinases-1 are significantly elevated in infants with HHV-6 infection compared to controls, leading to a dysfunction of the blood brain barrier.
HHV-6 status epilepticus in an immunocompetent adult
Immunocompetent adults are not supposed to get HHV-6 encephalitis or status epilepticus (SE) and HHV-6 testing is rarely performed in these patients. A new case report from Baylor suggests that testing for HHV-6 in these patients may be worthwhile.
Can a novel free radical scavenger help patients with HHV-6 encephalopathy?
Edaravone shows promise for reducing oxidation and neuronal damage in AESD.