SynthesisBMC neurology2025
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection and risk of Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Convergence of neuroinflammation across major neurotropic viral exposomes in AD and ADRD.Journal of neuroinflammation · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide. Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), a neurotropic virus capable of establishing lifelong latency in the CNS, has been suggested as a potential risk factor in the pathogenesis of AD. However, studies investigating this association have reported inconsistent findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore this association further and shed light on the matter.
objectiveThis study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature to assess the association between HHV-6 infection and the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
methodsA comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and grey literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Case-control studies that assessed the presence of HHV-6 in patients with Alzheimer's disease were included. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and STATA 17.0. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess heterogeneity and robustness of the results. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, trim-and-fill analysis, and Begg's test.
resultsEight case-control studies comprising 1,507 participants were included. The pooled analysis revealed a significant association between HHV-6 infection and increased risk of Alzheimer's [OR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.16-2.84, p = 0.009], with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 60%). Sensitivity analysis excluding one outlier strengthened the association [OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.65-4.70] and eliminated heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated stronger associations in studies using PCR detection [OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.22-3.98] and brain tissue samples [OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.22-5.11], whereas serological and blood-based studies yielded weaker, non-significant associations. Publication bias was not detected.
conclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that HHV-6 infection is significantly associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, the exact causal mechanisms remain unclear. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to better understand the role of HHV-6 in Alzheimer's pathogenesis and to evaluate potential antiviral options for preventive or therapeutic strategies.
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