Human herpesvirus 6 meningoencephalitis successfully treated with ganciclovir in a patient who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling.
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) has recently been recognized as an important pathogen in immunocompromised hosts, such as patients who have undergone allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). Here we report a case of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis in a patient who underwent allo-BMT from an HLA-identical sibling. The patient suffered from headache, high fever, tremor, and disorientation on day 35 after allo-BMT. Findings at magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, and routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination suggested the presence of viral meningoencephalitis. We diagnosed HHV-6 meningoencephalitis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of a CSF specimen. Successful treatment was achieved with ganciclovir. Because HHV-6 encephalitis has a potentially fatal and fulminant course, it is necessary that HHV-6 encephalitis be recognized as one of the central nervous system complications that can follow allo-BMT. PCR analysis for HHV-6 in the CSF specimen is necessary for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Yoshida
Hitoshi
H
Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan. hyoshida@imed2.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Matsunaga
Kazumi
K
Ueda
Takeshi
T
Yasumi
Masato
M
Ishikawa
Jun
J
Tomiyama
Yoshiaki
Y
Matsuzawa
Yuji
Y
D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic / Q000009:adverse effects
D015774:Ganciclovir