title: Human herpesvirus 6: a clinical update.
abstract: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a member of the Roseolovirus genus of the b-herpesvirus subfamily of human herpesviruses. HHV-6 infects virtually all children during the early years of life and, like other herpesviruses, establishes latency after primary infection. In immunocompromised hosts, especially transplant recipients, HHV-6 is able to reactivate and cause disease. There are two subtypes of HHV-6: type A and type B. The two subtypes share certain biological properties and a high level of sequence homology, but differ dramatically in their epidemiology. We have learned much about the epidemiology and clinical impact of HHV-6 in the decades since it was first identified, but many questions still remain. This update focuses on new findings regarding the epidemiology and clinical syndromes of HHV-6, especially as they pertain to primary infection, neurological disease, and the transplant setting. In addition, diagnostics and antiviral treatment are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. zerr@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zerr
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents