Is human herpesvirus 6 linked to kikuchi-fujimoto disease? The importance of consistent molecular and serologic analysis.
BACKGROUND
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also called histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a self-limiting lymphadenopathy of unknown cause. The patient often presents with fever, malaise, and lymphadenopathy primarily involving the cervical lymph nodes. Laboratory findings are nonspecific, and the diagnosis is established by identifying characteristic pathologic features from lymph node biopsy. The etiologic agent has been proposed to be of viral origin; specifically, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has been implicated.


METHODS
The clinical, histologic, serologic, and molecular data from 471 cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease reported between 1982 and 2001 and their relationship to HHV-6 were reviewed.


RESULTS
Thirty-two of the 471 patients in this review were tested for HHV-6 serology; all 32 had elevated titers for HHV-6. One hundred twelve patients with lymphadenopathies, including histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, tested positive for HHV-6 by polymerase chain reaction. In situ hybridization results were positive in 41 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This review illustrates the necessity for consistent molecular and serologic analysis.
Dominguez
Delfina C
DC
Clinical Laboratory Science Program, University of Texas at El Paso, and U.S. Oncology, El Paso, TX 79902, USA. delfina@utep.edu
Torres
M Lorraine
ML
Antony
Suresh
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D020042:Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests