Presence of HHV-6 genome in spermatozoa in a context of couples with low fertility: what type of infection?
Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a betaherpesvirus whose genome may integrate into human chromosomes. Chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6) may be transmitted vertically from parents to children. HHV-6 DNA has been detected in semen, but its integrated or extrachromosomal status has not yet been characterised. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HHV-6 DNA and to search for ciHHV-6 forms in spermatozoa purified from semen obtained from subjects explored for low fertility. A total of 184 sperm samples were purified using PureSperm(®) . HHV-6 viral load and species identification were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Of 179 sperm specimens analysed, three were positive for HHV-6 (1.7%). Two samples (1.1%) had viral loads of 680 232 and 2 834 075 copies per million spermatozoa, compatible with loads expected for a ciHHV-6 form. The viral load of the third positive sample (73 684 copies per million spermatozoa) was lower than would be expected for ciHHV-6 infection, implying that the HHV-6 DNA detected in spermatozoa corresponds mainly to ciHHV-6. However, viral DNA may also be detected at a low level that is not in favour of the presence of ciHHV-6. Further studies are necessary to determine the origin of detected viral genomes.
Persistant Viral Infections Team, INSERM U1135, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Univ Paris 06, Paris, France.
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Godet
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Soignon
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Koubi
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Bonnafous
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Agut
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Poirot
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Gautheret-Dejean
D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load; D016662:Virus Integration / Q000235:genetics*
D004279:DNA, Viral
Chromosomally integrated HHV-6; PureSperm; human herpesvirus-6; spermatozoa; viral load