Abstract
Objectives. Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) is a double stranded DNA beta virus known to be present in latent stage in almost all of the individuals. The exact pathogenesis of HHV-6 still remains an enigma. HHV-6 is known to employ hematogenous spreading to reach the neural cells due its tropism towards the vascular endothelial cells. An altered blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol, may also play a pivotal role in expediting the pathogenicity of the virus. Consequently, Substantia Nigra (SN), a dopaminergic-neuron rich region was investigated for the presence of HHV-6 proteins in non-alcoholic (controls) and chronic alcohol users.
Materials and Methods. 30 brain autopsy samples with a history of chronic alcohol use were studied and compared with 15 control samples. 15 visual fields were assessed in each slide using light microscope (40×) and quantitative estimation of HHV-6 expression in blood vessels was done. The results were analysed using Excel.
Results. Overall 17 (4 control and 13 alcoholics) out of 45 samples showed HHV-6 positive blood vessel endothelium while 23 samples (6 control and 17 alcoholics) showed HHV-6 positivity in neuropil and/or neural cells. 5 samples (control group) were found to be HHV-6 negative. In the gray matter, controls had about 45% HHV-6 positive vessels compared with 60% HHV-6 positive vessels in alcoholics. 40% and 70% HHV-6 positivity of blood vessels was seen in the white matter in controls and alcoholics, respectively. The general trend showed the presence of a higher number of blood vessels in the controls group, but with less HHV-6 positivity when compared to the alcoholic group.
Conclusions. Increased HHV-6 positivity of blood vessels in chronic alcohol users could highlight the role of endothelium in the transmission of virus from periphery to sub-cortical and basal ganglia regions via an altered BBB.
Materials and Methods. 30 brain autopsy samples with a history of chronic alcohol use were studied and compared with 15 control samples. 15 visual fields were assessed in each slide using light microscope (40×) and quantitative estimation of HHV-6 expression in blood vessels was done. The results were analysed using Excel.
Results. Overall 17 (4 control and 13 alcoholics) out of 45 samples showed HHV-6 positive blood vessel endothelium while 23 samples (6 control and 17 alcoholics) showed HHV-6 positivity in neuropil and/or neural cells. 5 samples (control group) were found to be HHV-6 negative. In the gray matter, controls had about 45% HHV-6 positive vessels compared with 60% HHV-6 positive vessels in alcoholics. 40% and 70% HHV-6 positivity of blood vessels was seen in the white matter in controls and alcoholics, respectively. The general trend showed the presence of a higher number of blood vessels in the controls group, but with less HHV-6 positivity when compared to the alcoholic group.
Conclusions. Increased HHV-6 positivity of blood vessels in chronic alcohol users could highlight the role of endothelium in the transmission of virus from periphery to sub-cortical and basal ganglia regions via an altered BBB.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 37-37 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Mar 2020 |
| Event | 6th RSU International Student Conference 2020: Health and Social Sciences - Rīga Stradiņš University, Rīga, Latvia Duration: 27 Mar 2020 → 28 Mar 2020 Conference number: 6 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T4P2qTeS9Q-FpWavIifEb_v6Hu9RI8rH/view https://isc.rsu.lv/about/past-conferences/ |
Conference
| Conference | 6th RSU International Student Conference 2020 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ISC 2020 |
| Country/Territory | Latvia |
| City | Rīga |
| Period | 27/03/20 → 28/03/20 |
| Internet address |
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
