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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2006; 01(03): 137-142
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1557081
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

HHV-6 is an emerging neuro- and lymphotropic virus with multiple disease associations

Matteus J.H. Salonen
a   Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland
,
Jussi Oskari Virtanen
a   Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland
,
Antti Vaheri
a   Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland
,
Marjaleena Koskiniemi
a   Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

20 March 2006

02 May 2006

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a highly neuro- and lymphotropic virus with an increasing number of diseases associated with it. Most children are infected at the age of 6 to 15 months. Primary infection manifests classically as exanthema subitum. This is, however, only one aspect of the clinical spectrum of the disease. Neurological symptoms are common and the virus may persist in several tissues and cells and be reactivated in various immunosuppressive conditions. In addition, HHV-6 may be involved in many chronic diseases. The two variants HHV-6A and HHV-6B appear to have different disease associations. To conclude, diseases associated with or caused by HHV-6 seem to expand. HHV-6 needs attention and active research both in children and in adults.

Keywords

HHV-6 - exanthema subitum - PCR - chronic diseases - convulsions - neurological infection