Simultaneous Guillain–Barrè syndrome and active human herpesvirus 6 infection in the central nervous system

Multiple sclerosis is the most common autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and its etiology is believed to have both genetic and environmental components. Several viruses have already been implicated as triggers and there are several studies that implicate members of the Herpesviridae family in the pathogenesis of MS. The most important characteristic of these viruses is that they have periods of latency and exacerbations within their biological sanctuary, the central nervous system. The Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6 and human herpesvirus 7 viruses are the members that are most studied as being possible triggers of multiple sclerosis. According to evidence in the literature, the herpesvirus family is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, but it is unlikely that they are the only component responsible for its development. There are probably multiple triggers and more studies are necessary to investigate and define these interactions.

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Human herpesvirus-6 entry into the central nervous system through the olfactory pathway

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1105143108 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 108 (33) ◽

pp. 13734-13739 ◽

Cited By ~ 83

Author(s):

E. Harberts ◽

K. Yao ◽

J. E. Wohler ◽

D. Maric ◽

J. Ohayon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Human Herpesvirus ◽

Human Herpesvirus 6 ◽

Olfactory Pathway ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Herpesvirus 6

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Human herpesvirus 6 infects the central nervous system of multiple sclerosis patients in the early stages of the disease

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1191/1352458504ms1045oa ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 348-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

A Rotola ◽

I Merlotti ◽

L Caniatti ◽

E Caselli ◽

E Granieri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Central Nervous System ◽

Nervous System ◽

Human Herpesvirus ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Human Herpesvirus 6 ◽

Early Stages ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Herpesvirus 6 ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The presence and the replicative state of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) were evaluated in clinical samples from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients at the first time of MS diagnosis. HHV-6 variant B was present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 5/32 (15%) patients, but persisted with a latent infection. Viral sequences were present also in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), both free in the liquid (7/32, 22%) and latent in the cellular fraction (3/32, 9%), as shown by analysis of viral transcription. In these cases, variant A was detected. HHV-6 DNA sequences present in the CSF were associated to mature viral particles. In fact, in vitro infectious assays of CSF showed the presence of replication-competent virions. These results show that about 20% of MS patients have active foci of HHV-6 variant A infection in the early stages of the disease and suggest that viral replication takes place within the central nervous system.

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