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Human herpesvirus 6 meningitis in an adult

Ganesh B Maniam1, Hannah Wilkerson1, John Scott Milton2

  • 1School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterAmarilloTexas.

Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)
|April 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This case highlights human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) meningitis in an immunocompetent adult. Early diagnosis and treatment with ganciclovir or foscarnet can improve outcomes for this rare viral meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Viral meningitis is often idiopathic, but diagnostic advancements are improving identification of causative agents.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing aids in recognizing rare causes of viral meningitis.

Observation:

  • A case of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) meningitis in an immunocompetent adult is presented.
  • Excluding more common viral etiologies is crucial for accurate HHV-6 meningitis diagnosis.

Findings:

  • This case demonstrates successful identification of HHV-6 as a cause of meningitis in an immunocompetent adult.
  • No established treatment guidelines exist for HHV-6 meningitis in this population.

Implications:

  • Prompt diagnosis of HHV-6 meningitis can lead to earlier initiation of treatment, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality.
  • Intravenous ganciclovir or foscarnet are suggested as reasonable first-line treatments based on current evidence and this case report.
Keywords:
HHV-6infectious diseasemeningitispolymerase chain reactionviral meningitis

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