title: Detection of human herpesvirus-6 DNA in peripheral blood and saliva.
abstract: Saliva and peripheral blood samples from 20 healthy adults were examined for the presence of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA sequences using the polymerase chain reaction. Eighteen out of 20 whole saliva samples contained detectable HHV-6 genomes. The majority of peripheral blood samples were also positive; however, the results suggest that only a rare cell in the peripheral blood is infected. Serological studies did not reveal any correlation between HHV-6 antibody titre and the ability to detect HHV-6 DNA. The data indicate that HHV-6 genomes persist in the peripheral blood and oropharynx or salivary glands of most healthy individuals following primary infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary School, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Jarrett
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Josephs
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Onions
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005814:Genes, Viral; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral