Mononucleosis-like illness in an infant associated with human herpesvirus 6 infection.
Illnesses resembling mononucleosis, hematologically characterized by atypical lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood, are caused by other viral infections as well as by a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. Human herpesvirus 6, a newly isolated member of the herpesvirus group, can also cause a mononucleosis-like illness. Illness associated with human herpesvirus 6 infection mostly occurs in immunocompetent adults. We observed a 3 month old infant who presented with marked atypical lymphocytosis and liver dysfunction. We examined serum samples to detect viral antibodies related to mononucleosis-like illness. Only the titers of antibody against human herpesvirus 6 were elevated. Primary human herpesvirus 6 infection cannot only cause exanthem subitum or present in an inapparent form but can also cause an illness like mononucleosis, even in an infant.
Kanegane
C
C
Department of Pediatrics, National Sanatorium Toyama Hospital, Japan.
Katayama
K
K
Kyoutani
S
S
Kanegane
H
H
Shintani
N
N
Miyawaki
T
T
Taniguchi
N
N
D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male