Prevalence of Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV-6) in Patients with Hemodialysis

Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV-6) is a virus which especially causes infection in CD4+ T lymphocytes and ranks among the herpes group that is widely seen all over the world. It is reported that more than half of the adults in developed countries and 80-100% of the population in developing countries is infected with this virus. HHV-6 infection is generally asymptomatic in healthy individuals. 

While it may cause infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome in adults, it is the causative agent of sixth disease (exanthema subitum) in children. As it can stay in the latent phase, reactivation may cause severe diseases with primary or secondary infections in immunocompromised patients. The virus especially causes infection in CD4+ T lymphocytes and staysin the latent phase in the lymphoid tissue. 

The main modes of transmission of HHV-6 are body secretions such as infected saliva but it can be transmitted with blood and blood products that are infected with the virus. Therefore, it is thought that immunocompromised hemodialysis patients who have multiple blood transfusions due to various reasons and who collectively use devices like hemodialysis machines are in the risk group for HHV-6 infection. Read more.........................