Detection of active human herpesvirus-6 infection in the brain: correlation with polymerase chain reaction detection in cerebrospinal fluid

J Infect Dis. 2007 Feb 1;195(3):450-4. doi: 10.1086/510757. Epub 2006 Dec 27.

Abstract

One-half of bone-marrow transplant (BMT) and stem-cell transplant recipients have reactivation of latent human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 2-4 weeks after transplant. Although the detection of viral DNA, RNA, and antigen in brain material confirmed active HHV-6 variant B infection, peak viral loads in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum occurred 2-4 weeks before death and decreased to low levels before or at autopsy. All autopsy samples consistently demonstrated HHV-6 active infection in the hippocampus. Astrocytic cells positive for viral antigen provided support for an HHV-6-specific tropism for hippocampal astrocytes. HHV-6 DNA in CSF and serum may not reflect the level of active viral infection in the brain after BMT.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Astrocytes / virology
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / virology
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • DNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Death*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / virology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Roseolovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / pathology
  • Roseolovirus Infections / virology
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • DNA, Viral
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • p41 protein, Human herpesvirus 6