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[Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6 and HHV-7)]
S Ranger-Rogez1, C Venot, F Denis
1Laboratoire de virologie CHU Dupuytren, Limoges.
Insights
Human herpesviruses 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) are common viruses transmitted via saliva. While HHV-7 is generally harmless, HHV-6 can cause illness in infants and reactivate in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
Context:
- Human herpesviruses 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) are ubiquitous T lymphotropic viruses.
- Transmission occurs primarily through saliva, with infections typically acquired in early childhood.
- These viruses establish lifelong latency after primary infection.
Purpose:
- To describe the characteristics, transmission, and clinical associations of HHV-6 and HHV-7.
- To differentiate the disease potential and diagnostic approaches for HHV-6 and HHV-7.
Summary:
- HHV-6 and HHV-7 are widespread viruses transmitted by saliva, establishing lifelong latency.
- Primary HHV-6 infection can cause exanthem subitum, while reactivation may be symptomatic in immunocompromised individuals.
- HHV-7 is not currently linked to disease, but the role of HHV-6 in lymphoproliferative and autoimmune diseases requires further investigation.
Impact:
- Highlights the distinct clinical significance of HHV-6 and HHV-7.
- Emphasizes the importance of diagnostic methods like PCR for HHV-6 detection.
- Underscores the need for continued research into HHV-6's potential role in complex diseases.
Abstract:
Human herpesviruses 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) are world wide T lymphotropic viruses recently discovered. Their transmission is essentially by salivary route. Primary infections which occurred early in infancy, respectively during the first year of life for HHV-6 and in the second or third year for HHV-7, are followed by latency for life. HHV-7 is not actually associated with a disease. HHV-6 primary infection is often asymptomatic, if not it can induce exanthem subitum. HHV-6 reactivation can be symptomatic in immunodeficient subjects. The role of HHV-6 in the arising of lymphoproliferative or auto-immune diseases, discussed for a long time, is still to elucidate. HHV-6 infection is diagnosed by serodiagnosis in case of primary infection, but in the great number of cases, it would be realized by polymerases chain reaction.