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  • Title: Reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection in patients with connective tissue diseases.
    Author: Broccolo F, Drago F, Paolino S, Cassina G, Gatto F, Fusetti L, Matteoli B, Zaccaria E, Parodi A, Lusso P, Ceccherini-Nelli L, Malnati MS.
    Journal: J Clin Virol; 2009 Sep; 46(1):43-6. PubMed ID: 19515610.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Little is known about the involvement of human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7) in autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTD). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of active infection with HHV-6 and HHV-7 in patients with ACTD. STUDY DESIGN: The presence and quantity of HHV-6 DNA was determined by quantitative real-time PCR in a cross-sectional study of serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and tissues obtained from 58 ACTD patients and 38 healthy subjects (HS). Specific anti-HHV-6 antibody titer was also measured. RESULTS: HHV-6 serum viremia occurred in a significantly higher proportion of ACTD patients compared to HS [26/58 (44.8%) vs. 1/38 (2.6%), p=0.001] with the highest reactivation frequency [7/10 (70%)] observed in patients with scleroderma. Moreover, HHV-6 in serum was associated with ACTD activity (22/38 vs. 4/20, p<0.05). Higher titers of HHV-6 antibodies were found in ACTD patients than in HS, although HHV-6 seroprevalence among patients with ACTD and HS was similar. HHV-7 viremia was not detected in any patients or HS controls. CONCLUSION: The frequent reactivation of HHV-6 in scleroderma and other ACTD, especially when active, suggests that HHV-6 may play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
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