09 Jul Little Known Herpes Virus Linked To Some Unexplained Fertility

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Roberto Rizzo

Roberta Rizzo PhD
Department of Medical Sciences
Section of Microbiology
University of Ferrara
Ferrara, Italy

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: 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. Researchers are trying to identify factors and mechanisms at the basis of this condition.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: We 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 that of fertile 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 and its implication in human pathologies is still controversial.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: We think that the virus could make underlying fertility problems worse.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: The next steps will be to determine further whether infertile condition is due to the virus, or to changes in endometrial immune system caused by the virus.

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: This work opens up a new frontier in the struggle against fertility problems: women with fertility problems could take advantage in antiviral therapy to re-create a receptive endometrial environment.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Roberto Marci, Valentina Gentili, Daria Bortolotti, Giuseppe Lo Monte, Elisabetta Caselli, Silvia Bolzani, Antonella Rotola, Dario Di Luca, Roberta Rizzo. Presence of HHV-6A in Endometrial Epithelial Cells from Women with Primary Unexplained Infertility. PLOS ONE, 2016; 11 (7): e0158304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158304

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on July 9, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD