Related Experiment Videos
Clinical features of primary human herpesvirus-6 infection in an infant with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
T Yoshikawa1, I Kobayashi, Y Asano
1Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan.
Insights
A 4-month-old girl experienced human herpesvirus-6 infection alongside acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment. This case highlights an atypical clinical course of exanthem subitum in immunocompromised patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Hematology-Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) primary infection can occur in infants.
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) requires intensive chemotherapy, leading to immunocompromise.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old girl presented with concurrent primary HHV-6 infection and ALL diagnosis.
- Intensive chemotherapy was initiated for ALL.
Findings:
- Prolonged HHV-6 viremia (7 days) was observed despite neutralizing antibodies.
- Clinical presentation included prolonged fever and diarrhea, absence of rash, and bulging fontanelle.
- Viral DNA was not detected in cerebrospinal fluid.
Implications:
- This case suggests an atypical clinical course of exanthem subitum (roseola infantum) in an immunocompromised infant.
- Unusual viral replication patterns of HHV-6 may occur in immunocompromised conditions.
- Highlights the importance of considering atypical presentations of common viral infections in pediatric oncology patients.
Purpose:
The primary infection with human herpesvirus-6 developed concurrently with diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and initiation of intensive chemotherapy for the disease in a 4-month-old girl.
Results:
Prolonged viremia persisted for 7 days in the presence of neutralizing antibodies, and clinical features such as prolonged febrile and diarrheal period, no appearance of skin rash, and marked bulging fontanelle for 7 days in the absence of the virus DNA in spinal fluid may suggest an atypical clinical course of exanthem subitum and an unusual viral replication in immunocompromised condition.