title: In situ hybridization detection of human herpesvirus 6 in brain tissue from fatal encephalitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahtiluoto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mannonen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paetau
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaheri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koskiniemi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rautiainen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muttilainen
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral