Human Herpesvirus 6 Infection of the Central Nervous System.
Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 infects all children, usually during the first year of life. High fever is the hallmark of primary infection, with febrile seizures the most common complication. After primary infection, HHV-6 remains latent or persistent at multiple sites, with intermittent reactivation. Many disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) have been linked to HHV-6 reactivation, including chronic seizure disorders, encephalitis, and demyelinating disorders including multiple sclerosis. Although multiple studies have pieced together an understanding of the molecular organization, viral characteristics, immunology, and epidemiology of HHV-6, the true role of this virus in diseases of the CNS is still unfolding.
Caserta
Mary T.
MT
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. mary_caserta@urmc.rochester.edu