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Activation of human herpesvirus-6 in children with acute measles
1Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract:
Virological and serological studies were carried out prospectively to evaluate the possible activation of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in 50 infants and children with acute measles by isolation of HHV-6 from peripheral blood and by determining neutralizing antibodies to the virus. All but 5 patients (90%) were seropositive to HHV-6 in the acute stage of measles and 18 (40%) had a significant increase in HHV-6 antibody titers thereafter, whereas only 2 of 27 patients who were initially seropositive to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen (VCA) had a significant rise in antibody titers to EBV VCA. Among 18 patients with a significant increase in HHV-6 titers, the virus was isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of three patients in the early convalescent stage of measles. These results indicate that activation of HHV-6 may occur frequently a few weeks after primary infection with the measles virus.
Insights
Measles infection may frequently activate human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) a few weeks later. Studies found increased HHV-6 antibodies and virus in children with acute measles.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Investigating potential viral co-infections and reactivations in pediatric acute measles cases.
- Assessing the role of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) activation following measles infection.
Observation:
- Prospective virological and serological studies were conducted on 50 infants and children diagnosed with acute measles.
- Blood samples were analyzed for HHV-6 isolation and neutralizing antibody titers.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody titers were also monitored for comparison.
Findings:
- 90% of measles patients were seropositive for HHV-6 during the acute phase.
- 40% showed a significant increase in HHV-6 antibody titers post-measles.
- HHV-6 was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in three patients during early convalescence.
- A significant rise in EBV VCA antibody titers was observed in only 2 out of 27 initially seropositive patients.
Implications:
- Suggests frequent activation of HHV-6 occurs within weeks after primary measles infection in children.
- Highlights a potential link between measles and HHV-6 reactivation.
- Warrants further investigation into the clinical significance of HHV-6 reactivation post-measles.