Lack of correlation between human herpesvirus-6 infection and the course of the human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is one of the herpesviruses, a family that also includes herpes simplex 1 and 2, varicella zoster (chickenpox), Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus. HHV-6 has been isolated from some patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HHV-6 has a particular affinity for CD4 T lymphocytes (specialized white blood cells involved in the immune response), the same cells that the HIV infects. HHV-6 has recently been associated with the childhood disease roseola infantum. Most children show antibodies to HHV-6 in their blood by the third year of life. Antibody levels drop as the child becomes older. To see if HHV-6 affects the susceptibility to HIV or alters the course of the infection, antibody levels were measured in homosexual and bisexual men. HHV-6 levels were measured in 78 men with the acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS), 81 men with swollen lymph nodes associated with AIDS (lymphadenopathy syndrome, LAS) and 55 men who did not test positive for the HIV (HIV-seronegative). The level of HHV-6 antibodies in men with early LAS and men without HIV infection were similar. The percentage of AIDS patients who were positive for HHV-6 was lower than the men with LAS or HIV-negative men. The men who had early LAS that began progressing towards AIDS did not have different HHV-6 antibody titers (concentrations) or percentage of positive results from those who did not progress to AIDS. However, the HHV-6 titers began to decrease over time and by the time symptoms of late LAS were present, the titers matched those of patients with AIDS. There is no evidence, based on these results, that HHV-6 influences the progression of HIV infection or predisposes one to HIV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Infection, HIV (Viruses), HIV, T cells, AIDS (Disease), AIDS research

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Dual antibody rises to cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus type 6: frequency of occurrence in CMV infections and evidence for genuine reactivity to both viruses

Article Abstract:

In the latter half of the 1980s, a new member of the human herpesvirus family was identified. Referred to as human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), this virus seems to be quite widespread; most adults have antibodies to HHV-6, indicating that infection is common. In an attempt to determine if HHV-6 is associated with any pathological conditions, routine screening of patients' blood was performed, and it was found that immunosuppressed patients infected with cytomegalovirus (another herpesvirus) also develop elevated titers of antibodies to HHV-6. In a further investigation of this phenomenon, it was shown that over 80 percent of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections involve either infection with HHV-6 or a reactivation of latent HHV-6 infection. Since the evidence for HHV-6 infection is the appearance of HHV-6 antibodies, it is important to establish that the observed antibodies are actually specific for HHV-6, and not merely antibodies to cytomegalovirus which happen to cross-react with HHV-6 antigens as well. This was accomplished by using large amounts of cytomegalovirus to absorb all the specific antibodies for CMV from the sample of serum. When this was done, no further reaction to CMV could be identified, but the antibody reaction to HHV-6 was still intact. It is worthy of note that among the five patients for which appropriate serum samples were available, it was determined that the elevation of antibodies to HHV-6 preceded that of CMV. The nature of the association between the two viruses is not yet known. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cytomegaloviruses, Cytomegalovirus

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Enhancement of human herpesvirus 6 replication in adult human lymphocytes by monoclonal antibody to CD3

Article Abstract:

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) has recently been isolated from patients with exanthem subitum (roseola) and with lymphoproliferative diseases. HHV-6 replicates in human umbilical cord blood, but the replication is usually restricted in adult peripheral blood. A human T cell antibody, monoclonal antibody to CD3, is known to induce DNA synthesis in human peripheral blood cultures. The effect of this antibody on the replication of HHV-6 in adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) was assessed by Southern blot hybridization and anticomplement immunofluorescence assay techniques. HHV-6 infection of CBMC was productive. Little or no infection of adult PMBC was noted, however, even after exposure to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Replication of HHV-6 was significantly enhanced in adult PBMC by monoclonal antibody to CD3. The mechanisms associated with the control of HHV-6 replication in host cells, and the mechanism of virus replication enhancement by exposure to monoclonal antibody to CD3 are still not clearly understood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Monoclonal antibodies

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