Clinical and laboratory features of human herpes virus type 7 infection in children

Nikolsky M.A., Vyazovaya A.A., Lioznov D.A., Narvskaya O.V., Zolotova M.A., Knyazeva E.S.

Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University, Russia
St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
N.F. Filatov Children’s City Clinical Hospital 1 5, St. Petersburg, Russia
Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, St. Petersburg, Russia

Human herpes viruses 6 and 7 (HHV-6, HHV-7) are widespread pathogens causing acute febrile illnesses in children. In contrast with HHV-6, the characteristics of HHV-7 are not well studied yet.
The aim of the study was to compare clinical and laboratory features of HHV-7 and HHV-6 infections.
Methods. PCR of plasma in 684 children with fever from 10 days to 6 years old was investigated.
Results. Only 4% of patients had HHV-7 compared to 22% with HHV-6 (p<0,01). Th e mean age of patients with HHV-7 (20,6±3,1) was signifi cantly higher then the age of HHV-6 patients (11,6±0,6) (p<0,01). Th e children with HHV-7 more oft en had fever without the rash (50%) (p<0,01), while only 5% patients with HHV-6 had this form of infection. Also lymphocytopenia was less often in patients with HHV-7 (p<0,01).
Discussion. It can be suggested that HHV-7 infection is often asymptomatic and has easier course of disease then HHV-6.