Next-generation sequencing proves valuable for identifying CNS infections in the immunocompetent.
Could herpesvirus infection of endothelial cells be important in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS?
A recent review summarizes evidence that HHV-6 can cause endothelial dysfunction, which often is seen in both Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
Antibodies to HHV-6 during acute COVID-19 may help predict development of Long COVID
Autoantibodies directed against neural targets have most predictive power.
Clinical evidence that infections, including with herpesviruses, increase risk for neurodegeneration
Epidemiologic research supports the provocative hypothesis.
Neuroimaging and proteomic evidence that infections, including with herpesviruses, increase risk for neurodegeneration
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.
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.
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.
Co-infection of HHV-6A and EBV results in a 6.7 fold increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis
The increased risk occurred only in adults who were infected with EBV after their teenage years, and had elevated EBNA-1 antibodies.
Antibodies to HHV-6 and HHV-6 dUTPase are strong predictors of Long COVID
CRP and IgA antibodies to activin-A are also important predictors.
Biofire multiplex PCR assay accurately detects HHV-6 meningitis/encephalitis in immunocompromised adults
Utility of the assay in immunocompetent patients requires further study.
Could a specific polymorphism in HHV-6B partially explain the heritability of major depression?
Individuals carrying this polymorphism had a five-fold increased risk of depression and were more likely to have a family member with major depression.