Kaklikkaya I, Kaklikkaya N, Birincioglu I, Buruk K, Turan N. Detection of human herpesvirus 6 DNA but not human herpesvirus 7 or 8 DNA in atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic vascular tissues.
Heart Surg Forum 2011;
13:E345-9. [PMID:
20961841 DOI:
10.1532/hsf98.20101023]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Various viral infections are thought to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. A number of studies suggest that certain viruses from the Herpesviridae family in particular may lead to atherosclerosis.
METHODS
We investigated the presence of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7), and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) DNA in carotid, iliac, and coronary artery specimens obtained from a group of adult autopsy cases by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and nested PCR techniques. A 28-subject study group with at least type IV atherosclerosis and a 25-subject control group with no visible atherosclerosis were enrolled.
RESULTS
HHV-6 DNA was found in the carotid artery specimen of 1 subject with atherosclerosis, in an iliac artery specimen of another subject, and in the iliac artery specimen of one of the control subjects. HHV-7 or HHV-8 DNA was not found in either the atherosclerosis or control cases.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to demonstrate the presence of HHV-6 in atherosclerotic vascular tissues. HHV-7 and HHV-8 were not found in atherosclerotic tissues; however, further research on broader study groups and with different protocols is needed to determine whether these viruses play a role in the formation of atherosclerosis.
Collapse