Detection of human herpesvirus 6 in tissues involved by sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease).

After preliminary serologic data demonstrated elevated antibody titers to human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 in patients with sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) or Rosai-Dorfman disease, tissues were examined from 9 patients with classical SHML to search for evidence of HHV-6 infection. Involved tissues from 7 of the 9 patients had detectable HHV-6 by in situ hybridization: Tissue from 1 had detectable Epstein-Barr virus genome but no HHV-6 and tissue from another had no detectable HHV-6 or Epstein-Barr virus. These studies suggest that HHV-6 and, to a lesser extent, Epstein-Barr virus may be involved in the etiology of SHML.