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.
Tuke
P W
PW
Centre for Virology, Department of Infection, Royal Free and University College Medical School of UCL, Hampstead Site, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK.
Hawke
S
S
Griffiths
P D
PD
Clark
D A
DA
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