Detection of Human Herpesvirus 6 in Pediatric CSF Samples: Causing Disease or Incidental Distraction?

Interpretation of human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV6) detection in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children can be complex; the virus can cause acute infection, reactivation, or can be inherited chromosomally integrated (iciHHV6). Here we will describe HHV6 virus, the epidemiology and clinical presentation of HHV6 disease, review evidence of clinical consequences of inherited chromosomally integrated HHV6 and summarize our study on detection of HHV6 in pediatric CSF samples.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe HHV6 virus, the epidemiology and clinical presentation of HHV6 disease 

• Review evidence of clinical consequences of inherited chromosomally integrated HHV6 

• Summarize our study on detection of HHV6 in pediatric CSF samples