Germ-line transmitted, chromosomally integrated HHV-6 and classical Hodgkin lymphoma

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 10;9(11):e112642. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112642. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

A unique feature of both human herpesvirus 6A and B (HHV-6A and B) among human herpesviruses is their ability to integrate into chromosomal telomeres. In some individuals integrated viral genomes are present in the germ-line and result in the vertical transmission of HHV-6; however, little is known about the disease associations of germ-line transmitted, chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6). Recent publications suggest that HHV-6 is associated with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Here we examine the prevalence of ciHHV-6 in 936 cases of cHL and 563 controls by screening with a duplex TaqMan assay and confirming with droplet digital PCR. ciHHV-6 was detected in 10/563 (1.8%) controls and in all but one individual the virus was HHV-6B. Amongst cases 16/936 (1.7%) harboured ciHHV-6, thus demonstrating no association between ciHHV-6 and risk of cHL.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chromosomes, Human / genetics*
  • Chromosomes, Human / virology
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Germ Cells / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / physiology
  • Hodgkin Disease / genetics
  • Hodgkin Disease / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Roseolovirus Infections / genetics*
  • Telomere
  • Virus Integration*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral