The distribution of antibodies to HHV-6 compared with other herpesviruses in young children

Sera from 141 infants aged 0–12 months were examined for IgG antibodies to HHV-6, HSV, CMV, VZV and EBV and for HHV-6 specific IgM. Following the decline in maternal antibody, antibody to HHV-6 was found to rise by 5–6 months and approached the level found in adults by 11–12 months. In contrast the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epidemiology and infection 1990-12, Vol.105 (3), p.603-607
Main Authors: Farr, T. J., Harnett, G. B., Pietroboni, G. R., Bucens, M. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Age Factors
Antibodies
Antibodies, Viral - blood
Biological and medical sciences
Cell lines
Epidemiology
Epstein Barr virus infections
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Herpesviridae
Herpesviridae - immunology
Herpesviridae Infections - epidemiology
Herpesvirus 6, Human - immunology
Human herpesvirus 6
Humans
Immunoglobulin G - analysis
Immunoglobulin M - analysis
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infections
Lymphocytes
Microbiology
Prevalence
Specimens
Virology
Viruses
Western Australia - epidemiology
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Summary:Sera from 141 infants aged 0–12 months were examined for IgG antibodies to HHV-6, HSV, CMV, VZV and EBV and for HHV-6 specific IgM. Following the decline in maternal antibody, antibody to HHV-6 was found to rise by 5–6 months and approached the level found in adults by 11–12 months. In contrast the antibody rates for the other herpesviruses were much slower to rise, especially in the case of CMV and EBV. HHV-6 IgM antibodies were detected mainly in age groups showing a rapid rise in antibody to HHV-6. HHV-6-IgM was not detected in 235 cord blood samples. The data suggest that HHV-6 infection is acquired horizontally, at a very early age in Western Australia.
ISSN:0950-2688
1469-4409
DOI:10.1017/S095026880004824X