A fatal case of fulminant myocarditis with human herpesvirus-6 infection.
We report a case of fulminant myocarditis after steroid pulse therapy for acute hepatitis. Serological studies demonstrated a four-fold increase in the antibodies against human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) IgG, and a PCR showed the existence of HHV-6 virus DNA. HHV-6 virus DNA was also isolated from the liver and the heart. We believe that exacerbation of fulminant myocarditis was probably associated with the reactivation of HHV-6 due to the immunosuppressive state of the host.
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine.
S
S
Fukae
N
N
Ashizawa
S
S
Morikawa
K
K
Yano
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D008775:Methylprednisolone