Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line
08:07

Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line

Published on: February 17, 2016

Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 and central nervous system infection in children

Asad Ansari1, Shaobing Li, Mark J Abzug

  • 1University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado 90262, USA.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|October 22, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Human herpesviruses (HHV)-6 and -7 are uncommon causes of central nervous system (CNS) infections in children. HHV-6 was detected in three infants, likely causing meningitis in two young infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • The role of human herpesviruses (HHV)-6 and -7 in pediatric central nervous system (CNS) diseases remains unclear.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management of CNS infections in infants and children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency and potential pathogenicity of HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pediatric patients.
  • To investigate the association between HHV-6/HHV-7 detection and CNS disease in children.

Main Methods:

  • CSF samples from 245 pediatric patients were analyzed for HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Patients presented with symptoms suggestive of sepsis or neurological conditions.
  • Clinical data, including age and alternative diagnoses, were reviewed.

Main Results:

  • HHV-6 DNA was detected in 3 out of 245 samples (1.2%).
  • HHV-7 DNA was not detected in any of the samples.
  • The three patients positive for HHV-6 were all under 2 months of age.
  • HHV-6 was considered the likely cause of meningitis in two patients lacking other identifiable microbiologic causes.

Conclusions:

  • HHV-6 and HHV-7 are infrequent causes of CNS infections in the pediatric population.
  • HHV-6 can occasionally be a pathogenic cause of meningitis in young infants.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the spectrum of HHV-6 and HHV-7 associated CNS diseases in children.

More Related Videos

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation12:22

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation

Published on: April 2, 2012

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...