Invasion by human herpesvirus 6 and human herpesvirus 7 of the central nervous system in patients with neurological signs and symptoms

摘要

METHODS—A total of 43 children withneurological signs and symptoms were enrolled in the study. Allchildren were suspected of having meningitis, and lumbar punctures wereperformed. Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and HHV-7 DNA was detected incerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)by nested polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS—Most patients haddetectable serum antibody to both HHV6 and 7. HHV6 DNA was detected inPBMC of 15 patients and in CSF cell pellet of seven. Correspondingfigures for HHV7 were 28 and 6.2/7, and 5/6 with CSF viral DNA also hadit in PBMC, respectively. No viral DNA was detected in CSFsupernatants. The seven HHV6 CSF viruses were all variant B.
CONCLUSION—These data suggest thatHHV-7 may invade the CNS.