Human herpesvirus 6

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 variant A (HHV-6A) and human herpesvirus 6 variant B (HHV-6B) are two closely related yet distinct viruses. These visuses belong to the Roseolovirus genus of the betaherpesvirus subfamily; they are most closely related to human herpesvirus 7 and then to human cytomegalovirus. Over 95% of people older than 2 years of age are seropositive for either or both HHV-6 variants, and current serologic methods are incapable of discriminating infection with one variant from infection with the other. HHV-6A has not been etiologically linked to any human disease, but such an association will probably be found soon. HHV-6B is the etiologic agent of the common childhood illness exanthem subitum (roseola infantum or sixth disease) and related febrile illnesses. These viruses are frequently active and associated with illness in immunocompromised patients and may play a role in the etiology of Hodgkin's disease and other malignancies. HHV-6 is a commensal inhabitant of brains; various neurologic manifestations, including convulsions and encephalitis, can occur during primary HHV-6 infection or in immunocompromised patients. HHV-6 and distribution in the central nervous system are altered in patients with multiple sclerosis; the significance of this is under investigation.

Multiple Sclerosis and Human Herpesvirus 6

“…The prevalence of anti-HHV-6 IgG in sera from our MS patients is similar to that reported by Braun et al [1]. The significant differences between MS patients and controls are J.…”

“…Humans are the primary host for the eight known species of human herpesvirus (HHV).The implication of these species in multiple sclerosis (MS) has yet to be definitively ruled out and remains under investigation [1,2]. HHV species, including HHV-6, can be latent, can periodically reactivate and most are neurotropic and induce demyelination in animal models [3,4].…”

Prevalence of blood-borne viral infections (cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus-6, human herpesvirus-7, human herpesvirus-8, human T-cell lymphotropic virus-I/II, human retrovirus-5) among blood donors in Latvia

“…CMV, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), and human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7) are ubiquitous β-herpesviruses [1], and in excess of 50.0% of adults have serological evidence of previous infection by these viruses [3,31,39,41]. Like most other herpesviruses, they remain latent in the host after primary infection and persist lifelong in the organism.…”

Infection and the etiology and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

“…Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) is a lately discovered DNA virus that is responsible for exanthema subitum (roseola infantum) in children; up to 95% of the general population has been exposed to it [23]. It is a lymphotropic and a neurotropic virus that has been shown to infect glial cells in culture [24].…”