In situ hybridization detection of human herpesvirus 6 in brain tissue from fatal encephalitis.
A 23-month-old girl died after 2 days' illness with rash, fever, and convulsions. Neuropathologic findings were consistent with viral hemorrhagic encephalitis in pontine tegmentum and medial thalamic areas. Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) DNA was detected in pontine nuclei by in situ hybridization. In addition, polymerase chain reaction for HHV-6 of serum and paraffin-embedded pontine tissue was positive, and serology indicated an acute primary infection. This is the first case showing HHV-6 DNA in the brain cells of an immunocompetent patient with acute encephalitis.
Ahtiluoto
S
S
Mannonen
L
L
Paetau
A
A
Vaheri
A
A
Koskiniemi
M
M
Rautiainen
P
P
Muttilainen
M
M
D001921:Brain / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007223:Infant
D004279:DNA, Viral