Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
12:34
Collection, Isolation, and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Samples
Published on: July 6, 2014
Frequency and clinical significance of human beta-herpesviruses in cervical samples from Italian women
Francesco Broccolo1, G Cassina, S Chiari
1Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy. francesco.broccolo@unimib.it
Journal of Medical Virology
|November 28, 2007
Summary
Human beta-herpesviruses (beta-HHVs), including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), were studied for their role in cervical cancer. HHV-6, especially with CMV, may contribute to cervical cancer development, while CMV and HHV-7 alone likely do not.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are essential for cervical cancer (CC) but require cofactors.
- Human beta-herpesviruses (beta-HHVs) are investigated as potential cofactors in CC oncogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV), HHV-6, and HHV-7 in Italian women.
- To assess the association of these beta-HHVs with HPV presence and cervical lesions.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR assays were used.
- Cervical samples from 208 Italian women were analyzed.
- Prevalence and viral load of CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7 were quantified.
Main Results:
- CMV prevalence was high (66%) regardless of HPV status or cytology.
- HHV-6 DNA was significantly more prevalent in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).
- The co-occurrence of CMV and HHV-6 DNA was significantly higher in squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL).
Conclusions:
- CMV and HHV-7 alone are unlikely to be implicated in CC oncogenesis.
- HHV-6, alone or with CMV, may play a role in CC development.
- Viral integration of HHV-6 is suggested in severe cases with high viral loads.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
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...
03:18Non-LTR Retrotransposons
As the name suggests, non-LTR retrotransposons lack the long terminal repeats characteristic of the LTR retrotransposons. Additionally, both LTR and non-LTR retrotransposons use distinct mechanisms of mobilization. Non-LTR retrotransposons are further divided into two classes - Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) and short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs), both of which occur abundantly in most mammals, including humans. Some of the active non-LTR retrotransposons in humans are L1...
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...