Obscure virus found in women with unexplained infertility

via wikipedia

Source: HHV-6 Foundation | Summary: The little-known member of the human herpesvirus family called HHV-6A infects the lining of the uterus in 43 percent of women with unexplained infertility but cannot be found in that of fertile women, researchers have discovered. The study also reported that the infection is exacerbated by hormone estradiol. Estradiol fluctuates with the menstrual cycle. High levels may trigger an active infection localized in the uterus.

"A new study has found that the little-known member of the human herpesvirus family called HHV-6A infects the lining of the uterus in 43% of women with unexplained infertility but cannot be found in uterine lining of fertile women. The study was conducted by investigators at the University of Ferrara, Italy.

The study also found that the response of the immune system to the virus may contribute to making the uterus less hospitable to a fertilized egg. The virus seems to activate immune cells called natural killer cells in the uterus, and lead those cells to produce chemicals called cytokines. Cytokines are tools the immune system uses to orchestrate an attack on a foreign invader, like a virus. However, the activated immune system cells and abnormal levels of certain cytokines may make it harder for a fertilized egg to lodge in the uterus, and grow into a baby.

Infertility affects approximately 6% of 15-44 year old women or 1.5 million women in the US, according to the CDC. Approximately 25% of female infertility cases are unexplained, leaving women with few options other than expensive fertility treatments. "This is a surprising and potentially important discovery," said Anthony Komaroff, a professor at Harvard Medical School who has studied HHV-6. "If confirmed, the finding may lead to treatments that improve the outcome for a large subset of infertile women."

Little is known about HHV-6A, which was discovered in 1986 and is one of nine human herpesviruses. Others include Epstein Barr virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex types 1 and 2. Since HHV-6A is typically not detectable in the blood or saliva, its true prevalence is unknown. A closely related virus, HHV6-B, is acquired by nearly 100% of the population in early childhood and is spread through exposure to saliva..."

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https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160707100736.htm