The distribution of antibodies to HHV-6 compared with other herpesviruses in young children.
Sera from 141 infants aged 0-12 months were examined for IgG antibodies to HHV-6, HSV, CMV, VZV and EBV and for HHV-6 specific IgM. Following the decline in maternal antibody, antibody to HHV-6 was found to rise by 5-6 months and approached the level found in adults by 11-12 months. In contrast the antibody rates for the other herpesviruses were much slower to rise, especially in the case of CMV and EBV. HHV-6 IgM antibodies were detected mainly in age groups showing a rapid rise in antibody to HHV-6. HHV-6-IgM was not detected in 235 cord blood samples. The data suggest that HHV-6 infection is acquired horizontally, at a very early age in Western Australia.
Farr
T J
TJ
Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia.
Harnett
G B
GB
Pietroboni
G R
GR
Bucens
M R
MR
D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015995:Prevalence; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M