Abstract
We conducted a cross-sectional investigation to identify evidence of a potential modifying effect of chromosomally integrated human herpes virus 6 (ciHHV-6) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression and/or severity. ciHHV-6 was identified by detecting HHV-6 DNA in hair follicle specimens of 439 subjects. There was no statistically significant relationship between the presence of ciHHV-6 and HIV disease progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. However, after adjusting for use of antiretroviral therapy, all subjects with ciHHV-6 had low severity HIV disease; these findings were not statistically significant. A multi-center study with a larger sample size will be needed to more precisely determine if there is an association between ciHHV-6 and low HIV disease severity.
Highlights
The relationship between chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 and the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in humans has, to date, never been examined.HHV-6 causes ubiquitous human infection with approximately 100% of the population seropositive by 3 years of age
This pilot study is the first to identify the presence of chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 (ciHHV-6) in an HIV-infected population
Because ciHHV-6 is inherited in a Mendelian fashion, our data confirmed that the prevalence rate of ciHHV-6 in our total HIV-infected cohort was similar to the published prevalence rate in otherwise healthy populations
Summary
The relationship between chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 (ciHHV-6) and the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in humans has, to date, never been examined. HHV-6 causes ubiquitous human infection with approximately 100% of the population seropositive by 3 years of age. The virus infects lymphocytes with a predominant tropism for CD4+ T cells[1]. In individuals with ciHHV-6, the entire viral genome is present in every nucleated cell of the body and transmitted in a Mendelian fashion[2,3]. The presence of HHV-6 DNA in hair follicle DNA specimens is a marker for ciHHV-64. Published data have demonstrated the prevalence of ciHHV-6 to be approximately 0.85%5. If ciHHV-6 is associated with HIV infection, this could uncover new possibilities for understanding HIV disease severity and progression
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
