Study supports immunohistochemistry testing of endometrial tissue
HHV-6A Found in Women with Unexplained Infertility
HHV-6A was found in 43% of women with unexplained infertility, according to a study published in PLOS Pathogens. (Marci R, et al, 2016.) The study authors found that the virus was present in uterine epithelial cells only, and not the blood. 30 infertile women and 36 fertile (control) women participated in the study. HHV-6B was found in equal amounts in the blood of patients and controls.
Secondary endpoints noted the correlation between estradiol and the presence of an HHV-6A infection and concluded that the virus was only active during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle when those levels were highest. Cytokine and NK cell profiles were significantly different between the groups as well.
Coppe Laboratories is currently the only reference laboratory to provide immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing for active HHV-6 in tissue biopsies along with DNA PCR for HHV-6A and HHV-6B in tissue samples. For information on testing and requirements see:HHV-6 Endometrial Tissue Immunohistohemistry
Konstance Knox, PhD, CEO of Coppe Laboratories, confirmed the importance of the study: “These findings offer important new insights into a potential mechanism for primary unexplained infertility and suggests that antiviral treatment may provide a benefit to a specific subset of these patients.”
Additional information about HHV-6 and infertility can be found on the HHV-6 Foundation’s website.