Absence of associations between influenza-associated encephalopathy and human herpesvirus 6 or human herpesvirus 7.
BACKGROUND
Influenza-associated encephalopathy is a severe complication of influenza virus infection, but its pathogenesis is unknown. It was recently suggested that the neurologic complications of influenza, including encephalopathy, are associated with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7). AIM To confirm or refute the association between influenza-associated encephalopathy and HHV-6 or HHV-7.


METHODS
Cerebrospinal fluid and serum from 25 patients with central nervous system complications of influenza (18 patients with encephalopathy and 7 patients with febrile convulsions) were investigated. The specimens were examined by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR for HHV-6 and HHV-7 DNA.


RESULTS
In the cerebrospinal fluid samples neither HHV-6 DNA nor HHV-7 DNA was detected by real time PCR or nested PCR. HHV-6 DNA was detected in a single serum sample from a patient with febrile convulsions.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study there was no association with HHV-6 or HHV-7 in most patients with central nervous system complications of influenza.
Kawada
Jun-Ichi
J
Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kimura
Hiroshi
H
Hara
Shinya
S
Ito
Yoshinori
Y
Kawashima
Hisashi
H
Okuno
Toshiomi
T
Morishima
Tsuneo
T
D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D017678:Sex Distribution
D004279:DNA, Viral