Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
05:53

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates

Published on: July 6, 2013

Human herpesvirus 6 infection mimicking juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia in an infant

Adonis Lorenzana1, Hernando Lyons, Hadi Sawaf

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, St. John Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48236, USA. adonis.lorenzana@stjohn.org

Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
|May 7, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection can mimic juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) in vitro cell culture findings. This case highlights the importance of considering viral infections in infants with suspected JMML.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Virology
  • Pediatric Oncology

Background:

  • Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) diagnosis relies on in vitro progenitor cell culture showing spontaneous proliferation and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) hypersensitivity.
  • This GM-CSF hypersensitivity assay is a key component of international JMML diagnostic criteria.

Observation:

  • A 2-week-old infant with perinatal human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection presented with in vitro bone marrow culture results suggestive of JMML.
  • Culture studies revealed increased spontaneous proliferation, inhibition by anti-GM-CSF antibodies, and GM-CSF hypersensitivity.
  • Polymerase chain reaction and viral culture confirmed HHV-6 infection.

Findings:

  • Perinatal HHV-6 infection can present with in vitro cellular proliferation patterns mimicking JMML.
  • The patient's condition improved with supportive care, normalizing blood counts and resolving hepatosplenomegaly.

Implications:

  • Viral infections, specifically HHV-6, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants with in vitro findings suggestive of JMML.
  • Observation is warranted for suspected JMML cases without progressive disease, especially when viral infection features are present.
  • This case broadens the understanding of viral mimicry in pediatric hematologic disorders.

More Related Videos

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis08:44

Separation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Peripheral Blood Samples from Children with Infectious Mononucleosis

Published on: September 7, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
Genital Herpes01:23

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
Chickenpox01:20

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is an acute, highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family. Its transmission occurs primarily through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or direct contact with vesicular fluid from skin lesions. The incubation period typically ranges from 10 to 21 days, during which the virus replicates and disseminates through sequential phases within the host. Although generally self-limiting in children,...