[HHV-6 infection and its clinical significance].

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) is a common virus, known as the causative agent of exanthema subitum. In addition, the virus is known for its tropism for the central nervous system and as the causative agent of encephalitides. HHV-6 produces a lifetime latency and may be reactivated during immunosuppression therapy for instance in organ transplantation patients. In recent years, new laboratory methods have improved the diagnostics of HHV-6 infections and enabled the study of the clinical significance of the virus. Although specific drugs effective against the virus are available, their clinical use is not established.