Journal Article

Detection of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) DNA in endocervical samples from a positive and negative HPV woman of Córdoba, Argentina

Cuffini, Cecilia, Venezuela, Fernando, Mosmann, Jessica, Frutos, María Celia, Kiguen, Ana, Pavan, Jorge, Ferreyra, Leonardo, Biganzoli, Patricia

2020

Overview

AimsThe purpose of the present study was to elucidate the presence of human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A), HHV-6B and HHV-7 in samples of the uterine cervix through detection of viral DNA. We analysed normal tissues, samples with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). We correlated the presence of HHV-6 and HHV-7 with the finding of human papillomavirus (HPV) in mucosal samples.MethodsCervical samples were examined and grouped as follows: group 1 (n=29), normal cytology; group 2 (n=61), samples with LSIL; group 3 (n=35), samples with HSIL. Molecular biology examinations were performed in all samples to detect HHV-6, HHV-7 and HPV DNA and to typify HHV-6 species.ResultsGroup 1: normal cytology and HPV (−): HHV-6: 6.8% (2/29), HHV-7: 79.3% (23/29); group 2: LSIL and HPV (−): HHV-6: 93.1% (27/29), HHV-7: 96.5% (28/29); LSIL and HPV (+): HHV-6: 0% (0/32), HHV-7: 90.6% (29/32); group 3: HSIL and HPV (−): HHV-6: 20% (2/10), HHV-7: 70% (7/10); HSIL HPV (+): HHV-6: 12% (3/25), HHV-7: 68% (17/25). HHV-6A DNA was not detected in any samples.Conclusions(1) Both HHV-6 and HHV-7 infect the mucosal cells of the cervix with higher prevalence of HHV-7. (2) The higher prevalence of HHV-6 in LSIL HPV (−) samples compared with those with normal cytology indicates that it constitutes a possible risk factor for atypia production. (3) The presence of HHV-7 in all samples questions its role in the production of atypia. (4) The finding of HHV-6 and HHV-7 suggests that the cervical mucosa is a possible transmission pathway for these viruses.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists,BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Annealing / Argentina / Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - diagnosis / Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - genetics / Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - virology / Deoxyribonucleic acid / DNA / DNA polymerase / DNA, Viral - genetics / Female / gynecological pathology / Herpesvirus 6, Human - genetics / Herpesvirus 7, Human - genetics / Human papillomavirus / Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests / Humans / Infections / Medical research / Middle Aged / Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Original research / Papillomaviridae - genetics / Papillomavirus Infections - diagnosis / Papillomavirus Infections - genetics / Papillomavirus Infections - virology / Predictive Value of Tests / Prognosis / Retrospective Studies / Roseolovirus Infections - diagnosis / Roseolovirus Infections - genetics / Roseolovirus Infections - transmission / Roseolovirus Infections - virology / Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix - diagnosis / Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix - genetics / Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix - virology / Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - diagnosis / Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - genetics / Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - virology / virus / Young Adult