title: Human herpesvirus 6 and cytomegalovirus in ileocolonic mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reactivation of a latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) may occur in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)--a close relative to CMV--in active IBD are scarce. The aim of this study was to detect HHV-6 and CMV antigens in the mucosa of active and inactive IBD.
  
  
  METHODS
  79 IBD patients (47 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 32 Crohn's disease (CD)) were recruited and endoscopic and histological disease activity was scored. Control group consisted of 15 non-IBD patients with normal colonoscopy. Immunohistochemical stainings for HHV-6B and CMV antigens were performed on biopsy specimens from the ileum and colorectum. The intensity of HHV-6B and CMV expression was graded as negative, mild, moderate, or intense.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HHV-6B antigen was positive in 35 (44%) and CMV in 64 (81%). Of controls, 6 (40%) were mildly positive for HHV-6 and 6 (40%) for CMV. In IBD, both CMV and HHV-6B intensity correlated with endoscopic disease severity (CMV p = 0.010 and HHV-6 p = 0.048). Simultaneous HHV-6B and CMV antigen expression occurred in 29 (37%) and associated with endoscopic activity (p = 0.006) and to a number of immunosuppressives (p = 0.033). A significant difference in HHV-6B positivity was found between endoscopically active and inactive UC (p = 0.040). Both CMV and HHV-6B intensity correlated with histological severity in the rectal biopsy specimens (for CMV p = 0.040 and for HHV-6B p = 0.027).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both viruses occurred ubiquitously in the IBD mucosa. Coexistence of viruses was common and associated with disease activity and use of immunosuppressives. HHV-6B intensity correlated with endoscopic severity in UC.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. taina.sipponen@hus.fi
authors: Taina
authors: T
authors: Sipponen
authors: Ulla
authors: U
authors: Turunen
authors: Irmeli
authors: I
authors: Lautenschlager
authors: Urpo
authors: U
authors: Nieminen
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Arola
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Halme
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003106:Colon / Q000821:virology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000821:virology; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000276:immunology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents