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-HHV-6 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 geometric titer (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.