HUMAN HERPESVIRUS-6 AND PNEUMONIA

Studies of lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from pati ents with pneumonia have led some investigators to propose that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) can cause pneumonia. As the etiologic role of HH V-6 in pneumonia remains poorly defined, cases of pneumonia that are a ssociated with pulmonary HHV-6 infection are best described as HHV-6-a ssociated pneumonias. The clinical spectrum of HHV-6-associated pneumo nia encompasses both mild and severe cases. Most cases reported so far occurred in immunosuppressed individuals following bone marrow transp lantation or HIV infection. Some studies have identified coinfections with HHV-6 and other viruses in a surprising number of HHV-6-associate d pneumonias. Although no systematic evaluation of treatment regimens is available at this time, coincidental administration of antiviral dr ugs did not generally result in clinical improvement. Controlled, pros pective studies are needed to understand the clinical presentation, cl inical course, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of HHV-6-associated p neumonias.