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Prevalence of human herpesvirus 6 in lung tissue from children with pneumonitis
J A Hammerling1, R S Lambrecht, K S Kehl
1Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53201, USA.
Insights
Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) can cause pneumonitis in children, sometimes alongside other infections. This study found active HHV-6 in lung tissue of children who died from pneumonitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) is known to cause exanthem subitum.
- HHV-6 has been implicated in various other diseases.
- The role of HHV-6 in pediatric pneumonitis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) in the development of pneumonitis in children.
- To determine the presence and localization of HHV-6 in postmortem lung tissues of pediatric pneumonitis cases.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining for HHV-6 was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung tissue.
- The study included lung tissue samples from 33 children aged two months to 16 years who died with pneumonitis.
- An avidin-biotin method was utilized for the immunohistochemical analysis.
Main Results:
- Active HHV-6 infection was detected in four out of 33 pediatric pneumonitis cases.
- Identified cases included a bone marrow transplant recipient with concurrent adenovirus infection.
- Other positive cases involved a patient with hepatitis of unknown etiology, a patient with congenital anomalies, and a patient with congenital immunodeficiency.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemistry allows for accurate localization of HHV-6 in postmortem lung tissue.
- HHV-6 may contribute to the pathogenesis of pneumonitis in children, either as a sole pathogen or in conjunction with other infectious agents.
Aims/Background:
Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) is the aetiological agent of exanthem subitum, and has also been linked with a variety of other diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HHV-6 in pneumonitis in children.
Methods:
Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded lung tissue from 33 children (age range two months to 16 years) who died with pneumonitis was subjected to immunohistochemical staining for HHV-6 using an avidin-biotin method.
Results:
Active HHV-6 infection was demonstrated in four children: a bone marrow transplant recipient with concomitant adenovirus infection, a patient with hepatitis of unknown aetiology, a patient with congenital anomalies, and a patient with congenital immunodeficiency.
Conclusion:
Accurate localisation of HHV-6 is possible in postmortem lung tissue. HHV-6 either alone or in combination with other pathogens may play a role in the development of pneumonitis.