Quantitative real time PCR assay for the detection of human herpes 6.

Human herpes virus type 6 is a beta virus that occurs as two variants (A & B) and infects nearly 100% of the population before two years of age. Primary infections in children can produce fever and a unique lacy rash that gives the disease its name: roseola. The rare primary infection in adults can produce infectious mononucleosis-like disease and atypical lymphocytosis. In immunocompromised hosts, HHV6 reactivation can cause localized organ disease, organ rejection, encephalitis, and leukopenia.