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The distribution of antibodies to HHV-6 compared with other herpesviruses in young children
T J Farr1, G B Harnett, G R Pietroboni
1Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia.
Insights
Antibodies to human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) rise in infants around 5-6 months, unlike other herpesviruses. This suggests early horizontal transmission of HHV-6 in Western Australia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Maternal antibodies wane in early infancy.
- Understanding infant immune responses to common viral infections is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seroepidemiology of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and other herpesviruses in infants.
- To determine the age of primary HHV-6 infection acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Examined infant sera (n=141, aged 0-12 months) for IgG antibodies to HHV-6, HSV, CMV, VZV, and EBV.
- Tested for HHV-6 specific IgM antibodies.
- Analyzed cord blood samples (n=235) for HHV-6 IgM.
Main Results:
- HHV-6 IgG antibody levels rose significantly between 5-6 months and adult levels by 11-12 months.
- Antibody acquisition rates for CMV and EBV were notably slower.
- HHV-6 IgM was primarily detected in infants with rising HHV-6 IgG, and absent in cord blood.
Conclusions:
- Infant HHV-6 infection is acquired horizontally at a very early age.
- The timing of HHV-6 antibody rise differs from other common herpesviruses.
- HHV-6 infection acquisition occurs postnatally, not transplacentally.
Abstract:
Sera from 141 infants aged 0-12 months were examined for IgG antibodies to HHV-6, HSV, CMV, VZV and EBV and for HHV-6 specific IgM. Following the decline in maternal antibody, antibody to HHV-6 was found to rise by 5-6 months and approached the level found in adults by 11-12 months. In contrast the antibody rates for the other herpesviruses were much slower to rise, especially in the case of CMV and EBV. HHV-6 IgM antibodies were detected mainly in age groups showing a rapid rise in antibody to HHV-6. HHV-6-IgM was not detected in 235 cord blood samples. The data suggest that HHV-6 infection is acquired horizontally, at a very early age in Western Australia.