Distribution patterns of β‐ and γ‐herpesviruses within Waldeyer's ring organs

Abstract

The Waldeyer's ring designates a functional unit of lymphoid tissue within the pharynx including the adenoids and tonsils. To gain insight into distribution patterns of beta- and gamma-human herpesviruses (HHVs) and their potential mutual influences at their natural portal of entry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays were applied to adenoids and tonsils obtained from 30 children. DNA of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), HHV-6, HHV-7, and HHV-8 was detected in adenoids, tonsils, or both of 24 (80%), 19 (63%), 23 (77%), 23 (77%), and 0 (0%) children, respectively. EBV, CMV, HHV-6, and -7 localized in both adenoids and tonsils from 92%, 37%, 52%, and 70% of children, respectively, with the virus detectable by qPCR. The amount of EBV was 2-10-fold higher than of other HHVs and correlated in autologous organs (P = 0.01) as did the amount of HHV-7 (P = 0.002). The amount of CMV correlated with the HHV-6 amount in adenoids (P = 0.028) and tonsils (P = 0.007), and with the amount of HHV-7 in adenoids (P < 0.01). Levels of HHV-6 DNA were lower in adenoids with detectable CMV DNA than in adenoids without detectable CMV DNA (P = 0.0062). Inversely, CMV and HHV-7 levels were higher in adenoids with than in adenoids without detectable EBV DNA (P = 0.019 and P = 0.039, respectively).Thus, beta- and gamma-HHV exhibit distinct distribution behaviors in Waldeyer's ring organs and seem to interact. This may be of medical importance in immunocompromised hosts who are likely to reactivate HHVs causing severe morbidity and death.

HHV-6 infection of tonsils and adenoids in children with hypertrophy and upper airway recurrent infections

“…Although the pathogenetic effect exerted by HHV-6 in human lymphoid tissue ex vivo was demonstrated, the findings of a recent study showed that herpesvirus (HHVs) infection including HHV-6, exhibit a distinct distribution in the Waldeyer's ring organs suggesting that HHVs may contribute to the severity of disease especially in immunocompromised children [13,14].…”

Prevalence of human herpesviruses infections in nonmalignant tonsils: The SPLIT study

“…Palatine tonsils, a secondary lymphoid organ triggering immune responses against inhaled or ingested microorganisms, may serve as a reservoir for several HHV species. Indeed, previous studies reported the detection of HSV1, EBV, CMV, HHV6, HHV7, and KSHV in tonsil specimens . Of particular interest, data on Waldeyer's ring infection with EBV are crucial, as a recognized cause of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphomas.…”

Severe Postnatally Acquired Cytomegalovirus Infection Presenting with Colitis, Pneumonitis and Sepsis-Like Syndrome in an Extremely Low Birthweight Infant

“…DNA was extracted using the QIAmp DNA mini kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). CMV DNA analysis was performed using the TaqMan real-time PCR technique as described earlier [9] . Several complementary investigations were performed in an attempt to rule out a congenital infection and to date the acquisition of the virus by the child.…”