Clinical and epidemiological features of infections caused by HHV-6A and HHV-6B
Objective. To determine the detection rates of HHV-6A and HHV-6B compared to other herpes viruses in children of different age groups. Materials and Methods. A total of 128 patients with symptoms of respiratory viral infections (RVI) aged from 1 to 16 years and 101 otherwise healthy children. A...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | Russian |
Published: |
Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
2018-08-01
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Series: | Клиническая микробиология и антимикробная химиотерапия |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://cmac-journal.ru/publication/2018/3/cmac-2018-t20-n3-p239/cmac-2018-t20-n3-p239.pdf |
Summary: | Objective.
To determine the detection rates of HHV-6A and HHV-6B compared to other herpes viruses in children of different age groups.
Materials and Methods.
A total of 128 patients with symptoms of respiratory viral infections (RVI) aged from 1 to 16 years and 101 otherwise healthy children. A comprehensive examination of the patients, including ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence assay, rapid culture method, PCR, and determination of nucleotide sequences of HHV-6 was performed. Children positive for HHV-6 markers (antibodies, early and late antigens) and positive for HHV-6 DNA were selected into one group (n=59), of which 14 children aged from 3 to 10 years were healthy and 45 children (<3 years of age [20 children] and ≥3 years of age [25 children]) had clinical manifestations of RVI.
Results.
The incidence rates of acute HHV-6 infection and HHV-6 reactivation were similar between healthy children and children with RVI symptoms (21.9% each). The active Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection took a second place among examined children: acute EBV infection and EBV reactivation were determined in 19 (14.8%) and 10 (7.8%) children, respectively. The incidence rates of HHV-6A and HHV6B among children with RVI symptoms were similar (55.5% and 42.2%, respectively) whereas HHV-6B was predominant in healthy children (85.7%). The HHV-6A was more common (70%) in children under 3 years of age, but HHV-6B was more frequent (67%) in children aged 3 years and older. The most often initial manifestations of HHV-6A infection were acute fever and catarrhal syndrome; whereas HHV-6B was found more frequently in otherwise healthy children. A sudden exanthema and febrile seizures were significantly more common symptoms in children with HHV-6A infection, whereas tonsillar enlargement with exudate and swollen lymph nodes were observed more frequently in children with HHV-6B infection.
Conclusions.
HHV-6A more often causes acute infection in children less than 3 years of age, which is characterized by fever, febrile seizures, rash (roseola), and upper respiratory tract infection with significant catarrhal syndrome. HHV-6B more often causes acute infection in children aged 3 years and older and is rarely presented with specific symptoms of HHV-6 infection, such as sudden exanthema and febrile seizures. HHV-6B is characterized by lymphoid tissue proliferation (tonsillar enlargement and lymphadenopathy) and hepatomegaly in all age groups of children. |
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ISSN: | 1684-4386 2686-9586 |