A virus found in saliva has been linked to infertility in women. This is according to a study carried out by Professor Dario Di Luca, Department of Medical Sciences in collaboration with Professor Roberto Marci, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine at the University of Ferrara (Italy) and published in PLOS ONE scientific journal.

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According to Roberta Rizzo who was the coordinator of the research, the study found evidence that the body’s immune system response to the virus HHV-6A makes the uterus less hospitable to fertilized eggs. As much as they don’t show any obvious sign of infection, women with the virus have significant alterations to the uterine secretions known as cytokines. These molecules are crucial in  preparing the intrauterine environment for a fertilized egg.

The HHV-6A virus was discovered in 1986. 2 years later it was established that the virus causes roseola in children; this is also known as the three-day fever and goes away after 3-4 days. In infection in adults does not cause any symptoms although elevated levels have been found in ;patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis. The virus can also be a big problem in people with weak immune systems.

Follow-up studies are needed to determine whether treatment therapies against the virus may help treat female infertility as well.

Until we see each other again,