Detection of human herpesvirus 6 DNA but not human herpesvirus 7 or 8 DNA in atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic vascular tissues.
BACKGROUND
Various viral infections are thought to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. A number of studies suggest that certain viruses from the Herpesviridae family in particular may lead to atherosclerosis.


METHODS
We investigated the presence of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7), and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA in carotid, iliac, and coronary artery specimens obtained from a group of adult autopsy cases by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and nested PCR techniques. A 28-subject study group with at least type IV atherosclerosis and a 25-subject control group with no visible atherosclerosis were enrolled.


RESULTS
HHV-6 DNA was found in the carotid artery specimen of 1 subject with atherosclerosis, in an iliac artery specimen of another subject, and in the iliac artery specimen of one of the control subjects. HHV-7 or HHV-8 DNA was not found in either the atherosclerosis or control cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to demonstrate the presence of HHV-6 in atherosclerotic vascular tissues. HHV-7 and HHV-8 were not found in atherosclerotic tissues; however, further research on broader study groups and with different protocols is needed to determine whether these viruses play a role in the formation of atherosclerosis.
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey. ikaklikkaya@yahoo.com
Islam
I
Kaklikkaya
Nese
N
Kaklikkaya
Ismail
I
Birincioglu
Kurtulus
K
Buruk
Nursen
N
Turan
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D002102:Cadaver; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000821:virology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000821:virology; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000235:genetics; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*
D004279:DNA, Viral