Human herpesvirus 6 chromosomal integration in immunocompetent patients results in high levels of viral DNA in blood, sera, and hair follicles

J Clin Microbiol. 2006 Apr;44(4):1571-4. doi: 10.1128/JCM.44.4.1571-1574.2006.

Abstract

Six immunocompetent patients with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) chromosomal integration had HHV-6 and beta-globin DNA quantified in various samples by PCR. The mean HHV-6 DNA concentration (log(10) copies/milliliter) in blood was 7.0 (>/=1 HHV-6 DNA copies/leukocyte), and in serum it was 5.3 (>/=1 HHV-6 DNA copies/lysed cell). The mean HHV-6 DNA load (log(10) copies)/hair follicle was 4.2 (>/=1 copies/hair follicle cell), demonstrating that viral integration is not confined to blood cells. The characteristically high HHV-6 DNA levels in chromosomal integration may confound laboratory diagnosis of HHV-6 infection and should be given due consideration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • DNA, Viral / blood*
  • Female
  • Hair Follicle / virology*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Integration*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA, Viral