Farr T J, Harnett G B, Pietroboni G R, Bucens M R
Combined Microbiology Service, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Nedlands, Western Australia.
Epidemiol Infect. 1990 Dec;105(3):603-7. doi: 10.1017/s095026880004824x.
Sera from 141 infants aged 0-12 months were examined for IgG antibodies to HHV-6, HSV, CMV, VZV and EBV and for HHV-6 specific IgM. Following the decline in maternal antibody, antibody to HHV-6 was found to rise by 5-6 months and approached the level found in adults by 11-12 months. In contrast the antibody rates for the other herpesviruses were much slower to rise, especially in the case of CMV and EBV. HHV-6 IgM antibodies were detected mainly in age groups showing a rapid rise in antibody to HHV-6. HHV-6-IgM was not detected in 235 cord blood samples. The data suggest that HHV-6 infection is acquired horizontally, at a very early age in Western Australia.