[Human herpesvirus 6. General overview]

Rev Roum Virol. 1994 Jan-Jun;45(1-2):83-95.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) was first isolated in 1985 and included in the Herpesviridae family and the beta-herpes virinae subfamily, mainly due to its genomic similarities to the human cytomegalic virus (HCMV). HHV6 is largely disseminated in the population. The contamination takes place very early, most frequently before the age of three. In some very rare cases, a benign illness is produced, known since 1911 as Roseolum infantum or Exanthemum subitum. Seroepidemiological surveys showed that anti-HHV6 IgG antibodies were present in more than 60% of the adult population. By now, there are good information about in vitro cultivability of the virus, viral genome and proteins, epidemiology of the infection and etiopathogenic relation between virus and Exanthemum subitum. Relations between virus and lymphoproliferative diseases, some auto-immune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome and some other diseases are less clear. Relation between this virus and HIV-infection is another problem requiring more research.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Genome, Viral
  • Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis
  • Herpesviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / classification
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / isolation & purification
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / physiology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Viral Proteins
  • Virus Cultivation
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Viral Proteins