HHV-6 and seizures

Herpes. 2005 Oct;12(2):46-9.

Abstract

Human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) is a ubiquitous virus, but one that can induce various neurological diseases. Recently, several seizures have been reported as new HHV-6-associated diseases based on virological analysis. Neonates who are perinatally infected with HHV-6 can develop afebrile seizures, which are considered to be exanthem subitum (ES) in the neonatal period. Infants with ES also tend to develop atypical febrile seizures. After primary infection, HHV-6 commonly establishes latency in the central nervous system (CNS) and sometimes reactivates in the hippocampus, causing limbic encephalitis and temporal lobe epilepsy. These HHV-6-associated CNS diseases due to virus reactivation can occur in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. This article summarizes HHV-6-associated seizures during childhood.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Encephalitis / complications
  • Encephalitis / virology
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / complications
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / virology
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Roseolovirus Infections / complications*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / virology
  • Seizures / complications
  • Seizures / physiopathology*
  • Seizures / virology*
  • Virus Activation