Overview of immunopathology of chronic active herpesvirus infection.
Chronic latent infection with human herpesvirus is common; antibody prevalence in the general population varies from 40 to above 95%, for herpesvirus-6 at about 20%. Reactivation occurs in 5-20% of healthy persons. If reactivation coincides with impaired host response, chronic active infection may ensue. Chronic active infection by certain members of the Herpesviridae such as EBV, CMV and HHV-6 is prone to being complicated by autoimmune diseases and atypical lymphoproliferation. Its diagnosis is occasionally rendered difficult by a variety of immunologic interference factors, thus final evaluation must result from clinical, immunopathological and virological cooperation.
Krueger
G R
GR
Immunopathology Section, University of Cologne, F.R.G.
Ramon
A
A
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000276:immunology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012008:Recurrence
D000914:Antibodies, Viral