Human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study

Abstract

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) is a new member of the herpes virus family, able to remain integrated in the human genome after primary infection and to transactivate the expression of retroviral genes. It has been recognized to be lymphotropic and neurotropic, although its possible role in neurological diseases is largely unknown. Up to now HHV‐6 infection has been studied mainly in inflammatory and disimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Taking into account the viral theories on the origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the biological properties of HHV‐6, we investigated the presence of viral specific sequences in the total DNA extracted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 20 ALS patients as well as from 20 blood donors by PCR. The results showed the absence of HHV‐6 specific sequences in the DNA of ALS patients as well as of controls. Nevertheless, before conclusions can be drawn on the possible role of HHV‐6 as cofactor in the development of ALS, it is necessary to examine cells other than lymphocytes and a larger number of subjects.