The epidemiology and pathogenesis of infections caused by the high numbered human herpesviruses in children: HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8.
Human herpesvirus 6 may be transmitted from saliva to infants, but other routes of transmission, such as organ and bone marrow transplantation, have also been reported. Intrauterine infection has also been suggested. Although the clinical symptoms during the primary infection in children are mild, human herpesvirus 6 may have neurotropic properties and be involved in the pathogenesis of febrile seizures in infants. The clinical symptoms caused by human herpesvirus 7 are not yet clear, but reports have described neurological symptoms. Human herpesvirus 8 has been identified from Kaposi's sarcoma tissue using molecular procedures. Serological study shows that human herpesvirus 8 is not so common in society and the mode of transmission is still unclear. Several routes of infection have, however, been considered, including sexual transmission.
Miyagawa
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Departments of aPediatrics and bMicrobiology, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Yamanishi
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