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HHV-6 encephalitis presenting as status epilepticus in an immunocompetent patient

Lokesh Shahani1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

BMJ Case Reports
|September 21, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) encephalitis, though rare in immunocompetent individuals, can cause severe neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis and antiviral treatment are crucial for recovery, even in non-transplant patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) reactivation is common in immunosuppressed transplant recipients.
  • Reactivation in immunocompetent individuals is infrequently documented.

Observation:

  • A 65-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with status epilepticus and MRI findings consistent with encephalitis.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed normal cell counts, protein, and glucose levels, prompting investigation into viral causes.

Findings:

  • The patient tested positive for HHV-6 in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Neurological symptoms resolved completely after a 21-day course of antiviral therapy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the necessity of considering HHV-6 encephalitis in immunocompetent patients with unexplained encephalitis, particularly those with temporal lobe involvement.
  • Highlights the importance of diagnostic workup for HHV-6 in cases of encephalitis, regardless of immune status.

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