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Severe encephalopathy associated with reactivated human herpesvirus 6 in a six year-old immunocompetent child

M Portolani1, M Pecorari, W Gennari

  • 1Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Biostatistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.

Minerva Pediatrica
|September 24, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Human herpesvirus 6 variant B2 (HHV-6B) caused encephalitis in an immunocompetent child. Diagnosis confirmed HHV-6B reactivation, not primary infection, highlighting its neurological disease potential.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Encephalitis poses diagnostic challenges, particularly in immunocompetent children.
  • Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a known cause of childhood infections, but its role in recurrent neurological disease requires further investigation.

Observation:

  • A six-year-old immunocompetent child presented with encephalitis.
  • Virological studies detected the human herpesvirus 6 variant B2 (HHV-6B) genome in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during acute illness and relapse.
  • High-avidity IgG antibodies to HHV-6 in serum indicated a past primary infection.

Findings:

  • The presence of HHV-6 DNA in CSF was attributed to viral reactivation, not a new primary infection.
  • Serological results confirmed a prior HHV-6 infection, supporting reactivation as the cause of neurological symptoms.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates that HHV-6 can cause neurological disorders through reactivation in immunocompetent individuals.
  • It underscores the importance of considering HHV-6 reactivation in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis, even in previously infected patients.
  • The findings expand our understanding of HHV-6 pathogenesis in neurological complications.

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