title: Mononucleosis-like illness in an infant associated with human herpesvirus 6 infection.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Sanatorium Toyama Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kanegane
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katayama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kyoutani
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanegane
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shintani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyawaki
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male