title: High frequency of human herpesvirus 6 DNA in multiple sclerosis plaques isolated by laser microdissection.
abstract: The frequency of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA was assessed in autopsy material from multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) from brains of persons with MS, healthy brains, and brains of persons with other neurologic diseases. Specific areas from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue samples were isolated by laser microscope. DNA was extracted from laser microdissected brain material, and HHV-6 genomic sequences were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed 44 NAWM samples and 64 MS plaques from 13 patients with MS, 46 samples from 13 patients with non-MS neurologic disorders, and 41 samples from 12 healthy control brains. Of the 44 NAWM samples, 7 (15.9%) were positive for HHV-6 DNA sequences, versus 37 (57.8%) of 64 MS plaques (P<.0005). HHV-6 DNA was detected in 10 (21.7%) of 46 samples from patients with non-MS neurologic disorders and in 11 (26.8%) of 41 samples from patients without known neurologic disease. Although the frequency of HHV-6 DNA did not differ significantly by sample type, HHV-6 DNA was significantly more common in MS plaques, suggesting that HHV-6 may play a role in MS pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cermelli
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: Samantha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Soldan
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayne
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: D'ambrosia
authors.forename: Samuel K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ludwin
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral