1. HHV-6 is frequently detected in dried cord blood spots from babies born to HIV-positive mothers.
- Author
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D'Agaro P, Burgnich P, Comar M, Dal Molin G, Bernardon M, Busetti M, Alberico S, Poli A, and Campello C
- Subjects
- Adult, Cluster Analysis, Cytomegalovirus Infections epidemiology, Cytomegalovirus Infections transmission, DNA, Viral chemistry, DNA, Viral genetics, Desiccation methods, Female, Genotype, Herpesvirus 6, Human classification, Herpesvirus 6, Human genetics, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Italy, Male, Pregnancy, Prevalence, Roseolovirus Infections virology, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Specimen Handling methods, Fetal Blood virology, HIV Infections complications, Herpesvirus 6, Human isolation & purification, Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical statistics & numerical data, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious epidemiology, Roseolovirus Infections epidemiology, Roseolovirus Infections transmission
- Abstract
Intrauterine transmission of HHV-6 is well established in immunocompetent women while few data are available on infections in babies born to HIV-positive mothers. To assess the rate of HHV-6 vertical transmission in comparison to CMV, we analyzed cord blood spots dried on cards (Dried Blood Spots, DBS) collected during a multi-center study on HIV congenital infections in Italy. DBS were tested by PCR for HHV-6 and CMV footprints. HHV-6 amplimers were sequenced and characterized. As control group, cards taken from babies born to HIV-negative mothers were analyzed. DBS of 187 babies born to HIV-positive and 372 to HIV-negative mothers were analyzed. The prevalence of HHV-6 was 3.2% in babies born to HIV-positive mothers. CMV was found in the HIV-positive group with a prevalence rate of 1.6%. In newborns of control pregnant women, HHV-6 prevalence rate was 1.1% (p=0.09), while CMV was not detected (p=0.04). Sequence analysis could distinguish between HHV-6 A and B variant in both groups and one A/B coinfection was found in a baby born to a HIV-positive mother. HIV-infected mothers transmit HHV-6 and CMV viruses to their babies more frequently than uninfected women.
- Published
- 2008
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