HUMAN HERPESVIRUS 6

(HHV-6, type A and B) (hěr\'pĭz)

HHV-6 was discovered in 1986 and was initially called the human B-lymphotropic virus. The virus was later shown to have a marked tropism for CD41 T-cells and was renamed HHV-6. HHV-6 is genetically similar to cytomegalovirus. HHV-6 causes exanthem subitum (roseola infantum or sixth disease) in infants and has been suspected of involvement in many conditions, including opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, hepatitis, lymphoproliferative diseases, synergistic interactions with HIV, lymphadenitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.