In:
Journal of Medical Virology, Wiley, Vol. 81, No. 5 ( 2009-05), p. 779-789
Abstract:
Human herpesvirus 6, HHV‐6, commonly infects children, causing febrile illness and can cause more severe pathology, especially in an immune compromised setting. There are virulence distinctions between variants HHV‐6A and B, with evidence for increased severity and neurotropism for HHV‐6A. While HHV‐6B is the predominant infant infection in USA, Europe and Japan, HHV‐6A appears rare. Here HHV‐6 prevalence, loads and variant genotypes, in asymptomatic compared to symptomatic infants were investigated from an African region with endemic HIV‐1/AIDS. DNA was extracted from blood or sera from asymptomatic infants at 6 and 18 months age in a population‐based micronutrient study, and from symptomatic infants hospitalised for febrile disease. DNA was screened by qualitative and quantitative real‐time PCR, then genotyped by sequencing at variable loci, U46 (gN) and U47 (gO). HIV‐1 serostatus of infants and mothers were also determined. HHV‐6 DNA prevalence rose from 15% to 22% (80/371) by 18 months. At 6 months, infants born to HIV‐1 positive mothers had lower HHV‐6 prevalence (11%, 6/53), but higher HCMV prevalence (25%, 17/67). HHV‐6 positive febrile hospitalized infants had higher HIV‐1, 57% (4/7), compared to asymptomatic infants, 3% (2/74). HHV‐6A was detected exclusively in 86% (48/56) of asymptomatic HHV‐6 positive samples genotyped. Co‐infections with both strain variants were linked with higher viral loads and found in 13% (7/56) asymptomatic infants and 43% (3/7) HIV‐1 positive febrile infants. Overall, the results show HHV‐6A as the predominant variant significantly associated with viremic infant‐infections in this African population, distinct from other global cohorts, suggesting emergent infections elsewhere. J. Med. Virol. 81:779–789, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0146-6615
,
1096-9071
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2009
detail.hit.zdb_id:
752392-0
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1475090-9
