Detection of active human herpesvirus-6 infection in the brain: correlation with polymerase chain reaction detection in cerebrospinal fluid.
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.
Fotheringham
Julie
J
Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Akhyani
Nahid
N
Vortmeyer
Alexander
A
Donati
Donatella
D
Williams
Elizabeth
E
Oh
Unsong
U
Bishop
Michael
M
Barrett
John
J
Gea-Banacloche
Juan
J
Jacobson
Steven
S
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000821:virology; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003643:Death; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins; C081690:p41 protein, Human herpesvirus 6