Transmission of chromosomally integrated human herpesvirsus 6 (HHV-6) variant A from a parent to children leading to misdiagnosis of active HHV-6 infection

Transpl Infect Dis. 2009 Dec;11(6):503-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00430.x. Epub 2009 Jul 28.

Abstract

Only a handful of cases of chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 (CI-HHV-6) have been reported, suggesting that this phenomenon is rare. We here present a familial case of HHV-6 variant A (HHV-6A) transmission through a generation, which was identified in the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A 31-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome underwent allogeneic HSCT from a human leukocyte antigen-identical sibling, and was found to be continuously yielding high copy numbers of HHV-6A DNA in plasma evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antiviral therapy with ganciclovir or foscarnet failed to decrease the copy numbers. HHV-6A DNA was detected in the patient's buccal mucosa and hair follicles, and was also detected in the plasma, whole blood, and buccal mucosa of the patient's father and 2 siblings, but not in his mother. The sequences of HHV-6A DNA isolated from all family members were identical. Since monitoring of HHV-6 by PCR has been widely introduced to the field of HSCT, transplant physicians should be aware of such an alternative form of HHV-6 transmission, particularly when HHV-6A is detected.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chromosomes, Human / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Genetic Variation
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / classification
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Male
  • Parents
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Roseolovirus Infections* / diagnosis
  • Roseolovirus Infections* / transmission
  • Roseolovirus Infections* / virology
  • Siblings
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects
  • Virus Integration*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral