Related Experiment Videos
Exanthem subitum (roseola infantum) with vesicular lesions
1Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Kinki University, Osaka, Japan.
Insights
A 7-month-old boy experienced skin lesions during exanthem subitum, confirmed as primary Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection. HHV-6 DNA was found in lesions and throat, with rising antibody levels supporting the diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Exanthem subitum, commonly known as roseola infantum, is a frequent childhood viral illness.
- Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is the primary causative agent of exanthem subitum.
- Cutaneous manifestations beyond the typical rash are less commonly reported in HHV-6 primary infections.
Observation:
- A 7-month-old male infant presented with vesicular skin lesions.
- These lesions appeared during the course of a febrile illness consistent with exanthem subitum.
- The infant also exhibited symptoms localized to the throat.
Findings:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected Human Herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA in both the skin lesions and throat swab samples.
- Serological testing revealed a significant increase in HHV-6 specific IgG antibodies and a stable IgM antibody titer.
- The temporal pattern of antibody response (IgG rise, IgM stable) is characteristic of a primary viral infection.
Implications:
- This case expands the clinical spectrum of primary HHV-6 infection to include vesicular lesions.
- The findings highlight the utility of molecular and serological diagnostics in confirming HHV-6 etiology.
- Understanding diverse clinical presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of HHV-6 infections in infants.
Abstract:
We report a 7-month-old boy who developed vesicular lesions during the course of exanthem subitum. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) DNA was detected both in the skin lesions and in the throat, by polymerase chain reaction. IgG and IgM antibodies against HHV-6 were 1:10 and < 1:10, respectively on the tenth day of the illness, and > 1:640 and 1:10 on the twenty-second day, respectively. These results suggest that this was primary HHV-6 infection.