Human Herpesvirus 6 and Spontaneous Abortion: Elucidating the Link

Recurrent spontaneous abortion was more common in women with inherited chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 than in those without.

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can integrate into human chromosomes, resulting in genetic transmission from parent to child. Individuals of either sex with inherited chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 (iciHHV-6) harbor the virus in every cell. Viral reactivation from the integrated HHV-6 genome can occur in pregnancy.

Investigators in Japan identified 23 participants with iciHHV-6 (and with confirmed origin of the viral genome); 8 had inherited the virus from their mother and 15 from their father. Pregnancy history was then obtained from the mothers of these 23 index cases. The investigators compared the incidence of spontaneous abortion in these families (having either maternal or paternal iciHHV-6) with that of 285 women having offs…

Reviewing Author

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris

Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases

Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)