Serological examination of human herpesvirus 6 and 7 in patients with coronary artery disease

Fifty-three (96%) of 55 patients with coronary artery stenosis were positive for serum anti-HHV6 IgG, and 50 (91%) of these patients had anti-HHV-7 IgG. The number of cases sero-positive for HHV-6 and -7 in the 54 age matched control volunteers was 52 (96%) and 53 (98%), respectively. No statistical difference in the seroprevalence of the viruses existed between the patients and the control group. The mean geometric titer (log10) of anti-HHV-6 IgG in both the patients and controls were the same (1.4) (P = 0.845), whereas anti-HHV-7 titers were 1.4 and 1.5, respectively (P = 0.161). Ten (18%)of the 55 patients had anti-HHV-6 IgM; eight (15%) of the 54 control volunteers were also positive (P = 0.636). Three (5%) of the 55 patients had anti-HHV-7 IgM, whereas 3 (6%) of the 54 control volunteers had detectable serum antibody (P = 0.691). Forty-seven of the 55 patients were examined by follow-up angiographic evaluation to clarify the association between viral infection and restenosis following balloon angioplasty. Fifteen of these patients developed restenosis, as determined by angiography. The mean geometrictiter (log10) of anti-HHV-6 IgG were 1.3 and 1.4 in patients with restenosis and those without restenosis, respectively (P = 0.724). The mean geometric titer (log10) of anti-HHV-7 IgG in patients with restenosis was not significantly higher (1.5) than in patients without restenosis (1.3) (P = 0.099). Three (20%) of the 15 patients affected by restenosis had anti-HHV-6 IgM; five (16%) of the 32 control patients also had the antibody (P = 0.965). One (7%) of the 15 patients with restenosis and 2 (6%) of the 32 patients without restenosis had anti-HHV-7 IgM (P = 0.558). The present study demonstrates that HHV-6 and -7 reactivation is not associated with the establishment of coronary artery stenosis and restenosis following balloon angioplasty. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.