[Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7)]

Rev Prat. 1999 Dec 15;49(20):2227-31.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Human herpesviruses 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) are world wide T lymphotropic viruses recently discovered. Their transmission is essentially by salivary route. Primary infections which occurred early in infancy, respectively during the first year of life for HHV-6 and in the second or third year for HHV-7, are followed by latency for life. HHV-7 is not actually associated with a disease. HHV-6 primary infection is often asymptomatic, if not it can induce exanthem subitum. HHV-6 reactivation can be symptomatic in immunodeficient subjects. The role of HHV-6 in the arising of lymphoproliferative or auto-immune diseases, discussed for a long time, is still to elucidate. HHV-6 infection is diagnosed by serodiagnosis in case of primary infection, but in the great number of cases, it would be realized by polymerases chain reaction.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / pathology*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Herpesvirus 7, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 7, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 7, Human / pathogenicity*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • DNA, Viral