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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

T. J. Farr
Affiliation:
Virus Laboratory, Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009
G. B. Harnett*
Affiliation:
Virus Laboratory, Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009
G. R. Pietroboni
Affiliation:
Virus Laboratory, Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009
M. R. Bucens
Affiliation:
Virus Laboratory, Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009
*
* Author for reprints and correspondence: Dr G. B. Harnett, Virus Laboratory, Combined Microbiology Service, GPO. Box F132, Perth, Western Australia, 6001.
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Summary

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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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

References

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