Antibody status to HHV-6 in children with leukaemia
M J H Salonen1, M A Siimes, E-M Salonen
1Haartman Institute, Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
This study found that children with leukemia show higher rates of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection markers. These findings suggest HHV-6 may play a role in the development of childhood leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Childhood leukemia is a significant health concern.
- Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a common virus with potential links to various diseases.
- The role of HHV-6 in the etiology of childhood leukemia requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infections in children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- To compare HHV-6 antibody profiles and IgG avidity in leukemic children versus a control group with neurological diseases of suspected viral origin.
- To explore the potential association between HHV-6 infection and the onset of childhood leukemia.
Main Methods:
- Studied IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity against HHV-6 in 40 children with leukemia at diagnosis.
- Compared findings with age-, sex-, and season-matched children with neurological diseases.
- Assessed IgG avidity by resistance to urea treatment.
Main Results:
- 97.5% of children with leukemia had IgG antibodies to HHV-6, compared to 92.3% in controls.
- 40% of leukemic children had IgM antibodies to HHV-6, significantly higher than 7.7% in controls (P = 0.005).
- High IgG avidity was observed in all leukemic children, suggesting reactivation or an atypical primary response.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of specific IgM antibodies and high IgG avidity in children with leukemia suggests a significant role for HHV-6 infection.
- Results support the hypothesis that HHV-6 infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of childhood leukemia.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking HHV-6 to leukemia development.
Abstract:
Forty children with acute lymphoblastic (33) or myeloid leukaemia (seven) were studied for IgG and IgM antibodies and IgG avidity against human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) at the time of diagnosis, and compared with age-, sex- and season-matched children with various neurological diseases of suspected viral origin. Of the children with leukaemia, 97.5% had IgG antibodies and 40% IgM antibodies to HHV-6 compared with 92.3% and 7.7% of reference subjects (P = 0.005). A seronegative child with leukaemia seroconverted 3 weeks after the diagnosis. The avidity of IgG antibodies (based on the resistance to urea treatment) was high in all children with leukaemia. One reference child had HHV-6-specific IgG antibodies with low avidity, which together with his positive IgM indicated an acute infection. The presence of specific IgM antibodies in 40% of children with leukaemia and the high avidity of IgG suggest a reactivation or an inaproppriate primary response to HHV-6 infection. The results support the conclusion of the role of the HHV-6 infection at the onset of childhood leukaemia.
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