Tag: HBLV

What’s new in human herpesvirus-6? Clinical immunopathology of the HHV-6 infection

Abstract:

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), formerly known as human B-lymphotropic virus (HBLV), was first isolated in 1986 from patients with lymphoproliferative disorders and AIDS. Antibody prevalence against HHV-6 varies between about 60-80% indicating a widespread latent infection.

Although HHV-6 infects in vivo primarily T-lymphocytes, it is associated with similar diseases as in infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a clearly B-lymphotropic virus. Reactivation of latent HHV-6 infection in patients with subnormal host defense may cause persistent active infection with so-called postinfectious chronic fatigue syndrome (PICFS) or may contribute to other pathologies such as immune deficiency itself, autoimmune disorders or progressive lymphoproliferation.

Coinfection of CD4 cells by HHV-6 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1) in AIDS patients can aggravate HIV-induced acquired immune deficiency. These characteristics of the only recently detected new virus justify further intense investigation.

 

Source: Krueger GR, Sander C.  What’s new in human herpesvirus-6? Clinical immunopathology of the HHV-6 infection. Pathol Res Pract. 1989 Dec;185(6):915-29. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2559396

 

The chronic fatigue syndrome: definition, current studies and lessons for fibromyalgia research

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by chronic, debilitating fatigue lasting greater than 6 months. Frequent chronic and recurrent findings include fever, pharyngitis, myalgias, adenopathy, arthralgias, difficulties in cognition and disorders of mood. In the majority of patients, the illness starts suddenly with an acute, “flu-like” illness.

The following laboratory abnormalities are seen with some frequency, although none are seen in all patients: lymphocytosis, atypical lymphocytosis, monocytosis, elevation of hepatocellular enzymes, low levels of antinuclear antibodies, varying levels of antithyroid antibodies, partial hypergammaglobulinemia, elevated CD4:CD8 ratio, decreased cytolytic activity of natural killer cells, and low levels of immune complexes. Clinical and serologic studies suggest an association of CFS with all of the human herpesviruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the recently discovered human B lymphotropic virus (HBLV) or human herpesvirus 6; neither EBV nor HBLV has yet been shown to play a causal role in the illness.

Preliminary evidence suggests that many of these features of CFS also are seen in patients with fibromyalgia.

 

Source: Komaroff AL, Goldenberg D. The chronic fatigue syndrome: definition, current studies and lessons for fibromyalgia research. J Rheumatol Suppl. 1989 Nov;19:23-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2691680

 

Chronic fatigue syndromes: relationship to chronic viral infections

Abstract :

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a newly-recognized clinical entity characterized by chronic, debilitating fatigue lasting longer than six months. Common associated findings are chronic and recurrent fever, pharyngitis, myalgias, adenopathy, arthralgias, difficulties in cognition and disorders of mood. In the majority of patients, the illness starts suddenly with an acute, ‘flu-like’ illness.

The following abnormalities are seen with some frequency although none are seen in all patients: lymphocytosis, atypical lymphocytosis, monocytosis, elevation of hepatocellular enzymes, low levels of antinuclear antibodies, low levels of immune complexes.

Clinical and serologic studies suggest an association of CFS with all of the human herpesviruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the recently-discovered human B-lymphotropic virus (HBLV) or human herpesvirus-6; neither EBV nor HBLV has yet been shown to play a causal role in the illness.

 

Source: Komaroff AL. Chronic fatigue syndromes: relationship to chronic viral infections. J Virol Methods. 1988 Sep;21(1-4):3-10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2846619