Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Detection of human herpesvirus-6 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with encephalitis.


ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Virus infections are the most common causes of encephalitis, a syndrome characterized by acute inflammation of the brain. More than 150 different viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of encephalitis; however, because of limitations with diagnostic testing, causative factors of more than half of the cases remain unknown. METHODS:To investigate whether human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a causative agent of encephalitis, we examined for evidence of virus infection by determining the presence of viral sequence using polymerase chain reaction and assessed HHV-6 antibody reactivity in the cerebrospinal fluid of encephalitis patients with unknown cause. In a cohort study, we compared virus-specific antibody levels in cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients with encephalitis, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and other neurological diseases. RESULTS:Our results demonstrated increased levels of HHV-6 IgG, as well as IgM levels, in a subset of encephalitis patients compared with other neurological diseases. Moreover, cell-free viral DNA that is indicative of active infection was detected in 40% (14/35) of encephalitis patients, whereas no amplifiable viral sequence was found in either relapsing-remitting MS or other neurological diseases patients. In addition, a significant correlation between polymerase chain reaction detection and anti-HHV-6 antibody response was also demonstrated. INTERPRETATION:Collectively, these results suggested HHV-6 as a possible pathogen in a subset of encephalitis cases.

SUBMITTER: Yao K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2666109 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

Detection of human herpesvirus-6 in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with encephalitis.

Yao Karen K   Honarmand Somayeh S   Espinosa Alex A   Akhyani Nahid N   Glaser Carol C   Jacobson Steven S  

Annals of neurology 20090301 3


<h4>Objective</h4>Virus infections are the most common causes of encephalitis, a syndrome characterized by acute inflammation of the brain. More than 150 different viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of encephalitis; however, because of limitations with diagnostic testing, causative factors of more than half of the cases remain unknown.<h4>Methods</h4>To investigate whether human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a causative agent of encephalitis, we examined for evidence of virus infection  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC4536617 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7435129 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6670288 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7643957 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC10483426 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5938764 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4871628 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC105021 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6634437 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC9016041 | biostudies-literature