Germ-line transmitted, chromosomally integrated HHV-6 and classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
A unique feature of both human herpesvirus 6A and B (HHV-6A and B) among human herpesviruses is their ability to integrate into chromosomal telomeres. In some individuals integrated viral genomes are present in the germ-line and result in the vertical transmission of HHV-6; however, little is known about the disease associations of germ-line transmitted, chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6). Recent publications suggest that HHV-6 is associated with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Here we examine the prevalence of ciHHV-6 in 936 cases of cHL and 563 controls by screening with a duplex TaqMan assay and confirming with droplet digital PCR. ciHHV-6 was detected in 10/563 (1.8%) controls and in all but one individual the virus was HHV-6B. Amongst cases 16/936 (1.7%) harboured ciHHV-6, thus demonstrating no association between ciHHV-6 and risk of cHL.
MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Adam J
AJ
Bell
MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Alice
A
Gallagher
MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Timothy
T
Mottram
MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Annette
A
Lake
Epidemiology and Cancer Statistics Group, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
Eleanor V
EV
Kane
Epidemiology and Cancer Statistics Group, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
Tracy
T
Lightfoot
Epidemiology and Cancer Statistics Group, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
Eve
E
Roman
MRC - University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Ruth F
RF
Jarrett
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000821:virology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D016615:Telomere; D016662:Virus Integration
D004279:DNA, Viral