HHV 6/HHV 7
Robin Avery, M.D., Paul Auwaerter, M.D.
MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY
- HHV-6 [Fig 1] and HHV-7 are members of the β-herpesvirus family.
- Closely related to each other and CMV.
- HHV-6 infects mature T-lymphocytes (CD4>CD8), monocytes, macrophages, megakaryocytes and glial cells. Remains dormant in PBMCs.
- HHV-6 has 2 subtypes:
- 6A: only accounts for 1-3% of disease, maybe more neurotropic.
- 6B: appears responsible for most disease in solid organ transplant (SOT)/hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT)/immunocompromised populations.
- Approximately 1% of the population has chromosomally integrated HHV-6 (ciHHV-6), sometimes leading to unnecessary treatment for HHV-6
- HHV-7 infects T-lymphocytes (CD4>>CD8).
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