Byington CL, Zerr DM, Taggart EW, Nguy L, Hillyard DR, Carroll KC, Corey L. Human herpesvirus 6 infection in febrile infants ninety days of age and younger.
Pediatr Infect Dis J 2002;
21:996-9. [PMID:
12442018 DOI:
10.1097/00006454-200211000-00004]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The importance of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) as a pathogen in febrile infants </=90 days of age is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether febrile infants 90 days of age and younger evaluated for sepsis have evidence of HHV-6 DNA in plasma or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
METHODS
Febrile infants </=90 days of age were tested for HHV-6 DNA using a real time quantitative fluorescent probe polymerase chain reaction assay.
RESULTS
Eighty samples from 47 infants were tested for HHV-6 DNA; 5 of 47 infants (10.6%) had HHV-6 DNA in plasma. In 2 of the 5 infants with HHV-6 DNA in plasma, HHV-6 DNA was also detected in the CSF. Both infants with evidence of HHV-6 DNA in plasma and CSF had HHV-6 Variant A infection. The quantity of HHV-6 DNA detected ranged from 70 to 169,000 DNA copies/ml. One infant with HHV-6 variant B infection had concomitant Escherichia coli bacteremia and urinary tract infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Approximately 10% of febrile infants </=90 days of age evaluated for sepsis had evidence of HHV-6 infection. HHV-6 Variant A and B infections were seen in these young infants. HHV-6 DNA was found in infants with and without another explanation for fever. Quantification of viral DNA may be important in determining the relevance of HHV-6 DNA in clinical specimens.
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