Distribution and quantification of human herpesvirus 6 in multiple sclerosis and control brains.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be precipitated by environmental factors, potentially including viruses, in genetically susceptible individuals and recently human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has been associated with the disease. We have analysed post mortem brain for the presence, variant type and quantity of HHV-6 by PCR. A total of 124 samples from seven anatomically defined regions of brain were tested from MS cases and controls. HHV-6 DNA was detected in 41% and 44% of MS case and control samples. The median viral loads were 11 and 9 genome copies/microg DNA in cases and controls respectively and the viral load was not increased in lesions. Except in one instance, the HHV-6 DNA detected was variant B. There was no apparent difference in the distribution of HHV-6 DNA in the brains of MS cases versus controls, nor between normal appearing and lesional tissue in MS cases. Periventricular regions of the brain were more frequently positive for HHV-6 DNA in both MS cases and controls, although this difference was not statistically significant. These studies confirm the neurotropism of HHV-6 but do not demonstrate differences in the distribution, variant type or quantity of HHV-6 in brains from patients with MS versus controls.
Centre for Virology, Department of Infection, Royal Free and University College Medical School of UCL, Hampstead Site, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
P W
PW
Tuke
S
S
Hawke
P D
PD
Griffiths
D A
DA
Clark
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D019562:Viral Load
D004279:DNA, Viral