Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a ubiquitous virus known to cause febrile syndromes and exanthema subitum in children. Less commonly, and particularly in organ transplant recipients, it may result in hepatitis, bone marrow suppression, interstitial pneunonitis, and meningoencephalitis.
Pathology
HHV6-associated hepatitis
HHV6-associated myocarditis (11577130)
HHV6-associated bone marrow suppression
HHV6-associated interstitial pneunonitis
HHV6-associated meningoencephalitis
HHV6-associated gastroduodenitis (immunosuppressed individuals)
HHV6-associated pancreatitis (immunosuppressed individuals)
Synopsis
cytopathic effect
- multinucleate giant cells
- gastric, duodenal, and bile ductular epithelium showing a multinucleate giant cell transformation similar to the caused by the virus in human T-lymphocytes infected in vitro
- herpes particles with a thick tegument layer in the duodenum
- multinucleate giant cells and enveloped virions with a prominent tegument
polymerase chain reaction
- amplification of HHV6 sequences
Serology
- anti HHV-6 antibodies
Predisposition
immunosuppression
. Thus, HHV-6 variant A can cause gastroduodenitis and pancreatitis in . Multinucleate giant cells and enveloped virions with a prominent tegument can be used as morphologic criteria to raise the possibility of HHV-6 infection in human biopsy tissue.
Pathology
References
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