Abstract
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV 6) was isolated from patients with exanthema subitum (ES) with a high frequency, and it is now believed that this virus causes ES as a primary infection in childhood. HHV 6 infection is highly prevalent in early childhood and this virus may infect infants through the saliva mainly from mother to child. HHV 6 has a tropism to CD4+ cells and destroys cells in vitro. Although children recover from ES without any sequelae, neurological symptoms associated with exanthema subitum are often observed, and we could detect HHV 6 in the cerebrospinal fluid of ES patients. This result suggests that HHV 6 may invade the central nervous system and cause neurological symptoms.
MeSH terms
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Antibodies, Viral / analysis
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Antibodies, Viral / immunology
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Brain Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
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Brain Diseases / diagnosis
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Brain Diseases / microbiology*
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Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology*
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Child, Preschool
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Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / immunology
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Exanthema Subitum / cerebrospinal fluid
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Exanthema Subitum / diagnosis*
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Exanthema Subitum / microbiology
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique
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Herpesviridae Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
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Herpesviridae Infections / diagnosis*
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Herpesviridae Infections / microbiology
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Herpesvirus 6, Human / immunology
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Herpesvirus 6, Human / isolation & purification*
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Humans
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In Vitro Techniques
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Infant
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Seizures, Febrile / cerebrospinal fluid
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Seizures, Febrile / diagnosis*
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Seizures, Febrile / microbiology