Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026
07:02
Identifying Dysregulated Genes Induced by Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus (KSHV)
Published on: September 14, 2010
HHV-6 DNAaemia in patients with multiple sclerosis in Kuwait.
S Al-Shammari1, R F Nelson, A Voevodin
1Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuwait, Safat, Kuwait. suhail@hsc.kuniv.edu.kw
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|February 13, 2003
Summary
Active human herpesvirus type-6 (HHV-6) infection, indicated by HHV-6 DNA in serum, was not found in Kuwaiti patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study found no evidence linking HHV-6 to MS in this population.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- The role of viral infections, such as human herpesvirus type-6 (HHV-6), in MS pathogenesis is under investigation.
- Previous studies have explored potential links between HHV-6 and MS in various populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of active HHV-6 infection in patients with MS in Kuwait.
- To determine if HHV-6 DNAemia (viral DNA in serum) is associated with MS in this region.
- To assess the potential role of HHV-6 in the development of MS in Kuwaiti patients.
Main Methods:
- Sera were collected from 24 patients diagnosed with MS (relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive).
- Control sera were obtained from 13 patients with other neurological diseases and 20 healthy volunteers.
- Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect HHV-6 DNA in all serum samples.
Main Results:
- HHV-6 DNAemia was not detected in any of the MS patients.
- No HHV-6 DNAemia was found in patients with other neurological diseases.
- One healthy control subject tested positive for HHV-6 DNAemia.
Conclusions:
- Active HHV-6 infection, indicated by DNAemia, was not demonstrated in Kuwaiti patients with clinically definite MS.
- The findings do not support the involvement of HHV-6 in the pathogenesis of MS in the studied Kuwaiti population.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential etiological factors for MS in this region.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Herpes
Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:25Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...