[Laboratory diagnosis of cytomegalovirus, HHV-6 and HHV-7 infectious diseases].

Cytomegalovirus, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) are members of subfamily Betaherpesvirinae of family Herpesviridae. After infection, these betaherpesviruses persistent for the rest of life. Those viruses are occasionally reactivated and shed either with or without clinical symptoms. The laboratory diagnosis of the viral infections is established by the following methods: (1) isolation of the virus from specimens; (2) detection of virus antigens, and/or viral nucleic acids; and (3) detection of seroconversion or a significant rise in antibody titer. Accurate and rapid laboratory diagnosis of the viral diseases is prerequisite to effective antiviral chemotherapy. Especially, it is most important to distinguish viral diseases to be treated from mere viral infections.