Abstract
The role and frequency of human herpesviruses (HHV)-6 and -7 in central nervous system (CNS) diseases of children are unclear. Cerebrospinal fluid samples from 245 pediatric patients (median age 43 days), submitted for evaluations of possible sepsis or of neurologic symptoms, were tested for HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA by polymerase chain reaction. HHV-6 DNA was found in 3 of 245 samples, and HHV-7 was found in 0 of 245 samples. The three patients with HHV-6 DNA were <2 months of age. HHV-6 was likely pathogenic in two patients with meningitis who lacked evidence of another microbiologic cause. HHV-6 and HHV-7 are uncommon causes of CNS infection in children. HHV-6 may occasionally cause meningitis in young infants.
Highlights
Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and human herpesviruses (HHV)-7 are ubiquitous T-lymphotropic viruses that infect most humans
HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA have been detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other body fluids by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which implicates these viruses in neurologic disorders
HHV-6 DNA was identified in CSF of 14.8% of children evaluated for fever, sep
Summary
Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 and HHV-7 are ubiquitous T-lymphotropic viruses that infect most humans. HHV-6 DNA was detected in CSF of 70% to 90% of children who had neurologic symptoms during their primary HHV-6 infection, with a disproportionate association with recurrent febrile seizures [17]. Other investigators have found a much lower prevalence (0%–4%) of HHV-6 DNA in CSF of AIDS patients with neurologic symptoms and in CSF of children with febrile seizures [19,20]. HHV-7 DNA has been detected in CSF of as many as 8.8%–14% of children with neurologic symptoms [21,22], other studies have found a lower prevalence (0%–2%) in CSF of AIDS patients with neurologic symptoms and in children with febrile seizures [19,20]. The goal of this study was to further define the role of HHV-6 and HHV-7 as causes of CNS disease in children
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