PCR Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV6)
HHV-6 has a very high prevalence (close to 100% of the world’s population has been exposed). It is transmitted mainly by saliva. Transmission occurs usually within the first two years of life; primary infection is often associated with a febrile condition and sometimes with the onset of roseola (exanthem subitum).
Sample required: Blood: 2 ml whole blood in EDTA tube. Stable for 48 hours. For longer periods freeze at –20°C or –80°C
- Two variants of the virus are known, HHV-6A and HHV-6B. HHV-6 is mainly lymphotropic, infecting a broad range of immune cells including T cells, monocytes, NK cells; however the virus can also infect many other tissues such as brain or liver.
- HHV-6 has immunomodulatory effects, including suppression of T-cell proliferation and alteration of cytokine production. This immunosuppression may favor the development or progression of other viral infections such as CMV, EBV or HIV.
- Several studies have reported a possible link between HHV-6 and multiple sclerosis (MS). Expression of HHV-6 proteins is observed at the site of MS lesions; cell-free HHV-6 DNA has been detected in the serum of MS patients. Reactivation of HHV-6 is also suspected to contribute to the pathogenesis of CFS.
- Nicolson et al. (J Neurosci Res. 2007) examined the blood of 48 patients from central and southern California diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) for human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6, 14/48 or 29.2% positive, odds ratio = 4.5, P < 0.01).
- qPCR test is available to quantify the number of copies present in body fluids or tissues. This test can be done on blood, saliva, tissue biopsies. The test can also uncover the potential chromosomal integration of HHV6.
Please kindly note that for all the tests that are done in our partner labs in the USA, a full prepayment must be received before your sample is sent for testing.
Partner labs demand a full prepayment before the sample can begin to travel. Thank you for your understanding and collaboration.
It will take approx. 4 weeks to get the results from all tests, except for MSA (6 weeks) and CD56 and CD57 (48 -72 hours).
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