Herpes Virus Type 6 IgG & IgM, Serum

To date, the human Herpesviridae family counts eight members and is divided into three subfamilies, designated α, β, and γ. Their main shared characteristic is their ability to remain in a latent or persistent state in their host for life and to reactivate during periods of relative immunosuppression. Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) which belongs to the β- herpesvirinae exists as two closely related variants, HHV-6A and HHV-6B. HHV-6A has not been etiologically linked to any disease; HHV-6B is the causative agent of exanthema subitum ES, a childhood disease characterised by high fever and a mild skin rash, occasionally complicated by seizures or encephalitis. The host tissue range of HHV-6 in vivo is broad and includes in addition to B and T lymphocytes brain tissue, liver tissue, tonsillar tissue, salivary glands, and endothelium. The frequent detection of HHV-6 DNA in saliva and salivary gland tissue suggests that salivary glands are a potential site for HHV-6 persistence and that saliva is a vehicle for transmission of the virus. HHV-6 is widespread throughout the world, with geographic differences in HHV-6 prevalence.

This test is useful in the diagnosis of HHV6 infection and the differential diagnosis of glandular fever-like infections as well as aseptic meningitis.

2 ml Serum Room Temperature

By Report