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Langerhans cell histiocytosis and human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6), an analysis by real‐time polymerase chain reaction
Author(s) -
Glotzbecker Michael P.,
Dormans John P.,
Pawel Bruce R.,
Wills Brian P.,
Joshi Yagnya,
Elkan Michael,
Hodinka Richard L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.20039
Subject(s) - langerhans cell histiocytosis , taqman , polymerase chain reaction , histiocytosis , herpesviridae , real time polymerase chain reaction , population , biopsy , disease , pathogenesis , virus , pathology , medicine , virology , biology , immunology , viral disease , gene , genetics , environmental health
Abstract Patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) usually present to orthopedic surgeons because this disease most commonly affects bone. The pathogenesis of LCH is unknown, although roles for environmental, infectious, immunologic, and genetic causes have been postulated. More specifically, there is limited data suggesting that human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) may be a potential etiologic agent. Frozen biopsy material was obtained from 13 patients with LCH and 20 patients without the disease. After ensuring histologic adequacy of the material, the tissue was tested for HHV‐6 by qualitative and quantitative real‐time TaqMan PCR. Four of 13 patients with LCH had evidence of HHV‐6 DNA in their tissue while 7 of 20 control patients tested positive for HHV‐6 genome. Viral loads are reported for the positive patients; no statistical difference was observed in the presence or quantity of HHV‐6 DNA found in either population, suggesting that the prevalence of HHV‐6 in the tissue of LCH patients is the same as that found in tissue from individuals without disease. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:313–320, 2006