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Simultaneous infection with human herpesvirus-6 and measles virus in infants
1Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract:
Two infants (4 and 5 months of age) with a febrile episode for 3 and 5 days, respectively, developed skin rashes after the fever subsided and were diagnosed as exanthem subitum. The rash continued for 5 days followed by mild-to-moderate pigmentation. Human herpesvirus-6 and measles virus, which were confirmed by a specific immunofluorescence assay and by electron microscopy, were isolated simultaneously from blood in the acute stage of the disease but not from the convalescent stage. The titer of the herpesvirus-6 in blood was greater than that of measles. Specific serologic assays showed marked seroconversion against human herpesvirus-6 but not to measles virus. The results suggest that dual infection with human herpesvirus-6 and measles virus results in atypical exanthem subitum or modified measles with unique immunologic responses.
Insights
This study reports a rare dual infection of human herpesvirus-6 and measles virus in infants presenting with exanthem subitum. The findings suggest a unique presentation and immune response in such co-infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Exanthem subitum, typically caused by human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), presents with fever followed by a rash.
- Measles virus infection usually causes a distinct febrile rash illness.
- Simultaneous infections with different viruses can alter disease presentation and immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a case of atypical exanthem subitum in infants.
- To identify the causative agents and their roles in the observed symptoms.
- To understand the immunologic response to a potential dual viral infection.
Main Methods:
- Viral isolation from infant blood samples during acute and convalescent stages.
- Confirmation of viral presence using immunofluorescence assay and electron microscopy.
- Serologic assays to determine antibody responses to human herpesvirus-6 and measles virus.
Main Results:
- Human herpesvirus-6 and measles virus were simultaneously isolated from blood during the acute phase.
- HHV-6 viral load was higher than measles virus in blood.
- Significant seroconversion was observed for HHV-6, but not for measles virus.
Conclusions:
- Dual infection with HHV-6 and measles virus can lead to atypical exanthem subitum or modified measles.
- This co-infection elicits unique and specific immunologic responses, primarily against HHV-6.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the clinical and immunological implications of such dual viral infections in infants.