Author/Authors :
Pirmoradi, Roya Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran , Mahmoudvand, Shahab Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran , Shokri, Somayeh Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran , Nahid-Samiei, Rahil Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran , Makvandi, Manoochehr Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran , Jalilian, Shahram Infectious and Tropical Disease Research Center - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran , Kaydani, Gholam-Abbas Faculty of Paramedical - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences Ahvaz, Iran , Shahbazian, Heshmatollah Dialysis and Kidney Transplanation - Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences - Ahwaz, Iran , Shayanpour, Shokouh Eimamkhomaini Hospital - Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences - Ahwaz, Iran , Makvandi, Kimia Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences - Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract :
Hemodialysis (HD) patients are a high-risk
population for acquiring blood-borne viruses such as HHV-6.
HHV-6 can remain latent in the host cells after primary infection;
the reactivation of virus may result complications such as seizure,
respiratory failure, hepatitis, and encephalitis. There is a limited
report concerning HHV-6 infection in HD patients in Iran. Thus,
this study was conducted to determine the frequency of HHV-6
among HD patients.
Methods. We determined HHV-6 DNA in sera samples of 84
patients undergoing HD. The DNA was extracted from the sera
samples and the presence of HHV-6 DNA variants A and B was
evaluated by nested PCR.
Results. 52/84 (61.9%) of HD patients were males and 32/84
(38.1%) females. The age ranges of patients were between 18 to
85 years and the mean age was 52 ± 1.52 (± SD) years. Out of 84
sera samples, HHV-6 DNA was detected in 10 (11.9%) participants,
including 6/52 (11.5%) in males and 4/32 (12.5%) in females. HHV-
6A was detected in 10/10 (100%) of positive cases. No HHV-6 B
was found in HD patients. The distribution of HHV-6A DNA was
not significant between genders (P > .05). Out of 84 HD patients,
55 (65.47%) cases were over 50 years, among them 10 (18.18%)
cases were positive for HHV-6 A infection (P < .05).
Conclusion. The results showed that only HHV-6 DNA variant A
was found in 11.9% of HD patients. Regarding the consequence of
HHV-6 reactivation, to manage and improve treatment, the screening
of HHV-6 DNA test should be implemented for HD patients.
