Human Herpesvirus Type 6 and 7-Associated Diseases: An Update

Abstract

Humanherpesvirus type 6 (HHV 6) and 7 (HHV 7), two different herpesviruses of herpes family, particularly HHV 7 can cause roseola and several other associated diseases, such as neurological diseases, Graves’ disease, Hodgkin’s disease, Kaposi’s sarcoma, etc. The pathological association of HHV 7 with pityriasis rosea is still controversial. HHV 6 mostly infects CD4+ T cells. Genomes of both variants of HHV 6 and 7 are closely related. TP53 gene plays the major role in restricting the production of HHV 6B messenger-ribonucleic acid (mRNA). Nevertheless, the roles of both HHV 6 and 7 in various dermatological disorders and several other clinical manifestations are still to be defined. Further investigations are urgently needed.