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Chronic myelopathy associated with human herpesvirus-6
I R Mackenzie1, D R Carrigan, C A Wiley
1Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Neurology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) can cause serious neurologic diseases. This study suggests HHV-6 may be a cause of myelopathy, a spinal cord disease, in elderly individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Pathology
Background:
- Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a known cause of various neurological conditions.
- The specific role of HHV-6 in spinal cord diseases (myelopathy) remains under investigation.
Observation:
- A previously healthy elderly woman presented with progressive spastic paraparesis.
- Autopsy examination of her spinal cord revealed demyelination, axonal loss, and chronic inflammation.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected HHV-6 DNA in the patient's spinal cord tissue.
- Immunoreactivity for HHV-6 was observed in glial cells within the spinal cord.
Implications:
- These findings provide evidence that HHV-6 may be a causative agent of myelopathy.
- Further research into HHV-6's role in neurological disorders is warranted.
- This could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HHV-6-associated myelopathy.