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  • Title: Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA in plasma reflects the presence of infected blood cells rather than circulating viral particles.
    Author: Achour A, Boutolleau D, Slim A, Agut H, Gautheret-Dejean A.
    Journal: J Clin Virol; 2007 Apr; 38(4):280-5. PubMed ID: 17339132.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: The presence of HHV-6 DNA in plasma or serum is considered a good marker of active infection. However, it is ignored whether this DNA corresponds to virus particles produced by lymphoid tissue infection or virus-free DNA released from infected circulating blood cells. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether HHV-6 DNA in whole plasma is nonencapsidated and its amount is correlated to cellular and human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7) DNA loads in plasma subfractions as well as in corresponding peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). STUDY DESIGN: Whole plasma samples from immunocompromised patients were submitted to a DNase-resistance test. Plasma samples from a second group of patients were split up into three subfractions: P1 (pellet of clarification), P2 (pellet of ultracentrifugation), and S (supernatant of ultracentrifugation). HHV-6, HHV-7, and cellular DNA loads were determined in each fraction and PBMCs using specific real-time PCR. RESULTS: Among 14 whole plasma samples, the majority of HHV-6 DNA detected was unprotected against DNase, i.e. nonencapsidated. The study of 35 other plasma samples revealed that cellular DNA was present in all subfractions from all samples whereas HHV-6 DNA was detected in 13 P1, 12 P2, 10 S fractions, and HHV-7 DNA in only one P1 fraction. Accordingly, median HHV-6 DNA load was significantly higher in P1 than in P2 and S fractions. The detection of HHV-6 DNA in plasma subfractions was statistically associated with a higher HHV-6 viral load in PBMCs (p<or=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these data tend to favour the hypothesis of a release of HHV-6 and cellular DNA into plasma following the lysis of infected PBMCs. HHV-6 DNA in plasma does not necessarily reflect the amount of virus produced by the active infection of distant lymphoid tissue and organs.
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