Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line
08:07

Differentiation of the SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cell Line

Published on: February 17, 2016

[Human herpes virus type 6, etiology of an acute encephalitis in childhood: case report]

A Afenjar1, D Rodriguez, F Rozenberg

  • 1Service de Neuropédiatrie, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Armand-Trousseau, 26, avenue du Docteur-A.-Netter, 75012 Paris, France. alexandra.afenjar@trs.aphp.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|February 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Primary human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection can cause acute leucoencephalitis in infants, presenting with seizures and coma. Detecting HHV-6 DNA in cerebrospinal fluid confirms its role in this rare but serious neurological complication.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Primary human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection typically causes roseola infantum but can lead to severe central nervous system (CNS) complications.
  • Acute leucoencephalitis is a rare but serious neurological condition in infants, often with an unclear etiology.

Observation:

  • A 16-month-old girl presented with fever, seizures, rash, and coma, indicative of acute leucoencephalitis.
  • Brain MRI revealed extensive white matter lesions.
  • Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum during the acute phase.

Findings:

  • Serological tests showed a significant increase in HHV-6 IgG antibody titers, confirming primary infection.
  • The presence of HHV-6 DNA in CSF strongly suggests the virus's etiological role in the leucoencephalitis.
  • The patient experienced complete clinical recovery with partial resolution of brain lesions on MRI within one month.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering HHV-6 in the differential diagnosis of acute leucoencephalitis in infants.
  • Comprehensive virological investigations are crucial to identify HHV-6 and other potential pathogens (e.g., EBV, CMV, enterovirus).
  • Accurate diagnosis of HHV-6 encephalitis can prevent misattribution of symptoms to vaccinations and guide appropriate management.

More Related Videos

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation12:22

A Primary Neuron Culture System for the Study of Herpes Simplex Virus Latency and Reactivation

Published on: April 2, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
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...
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...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
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,...