Congenital infection with human herpesvirus 6 variant B associated with neonatal seizures and poor neurological outcome.
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV 6) has neurotropic and neuroinvasive properties. The virus has been found in the cerebrospinal fluid of many children with aseptic meningoencephalitis. Intrauterine transmission has been documented by HHV 6 DNA detection in cord blood specimens of apparently healthy newborns and in fetuses following spontaneous abortions. A patient is described with early neonatal afebrile seizures resulting from a congenital HHV 6 variant B infection disclosed by repeated detection of viral genome by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in cerebrospinal fluid in the first days of life. At follow-up, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies disclosed hyperintensities in the periventricular white matter and basal ganglia, associated with cerebral atrophy. Further follow-up at 18 months revealed poor neurological outcome with mild neurodevelopmental retardation, strabismus and hypertonia of legs. This report provides evidence of neurological involvement after HHV 6 vertical transmission, and the association with neurological sequelae.
Lanari
Marcello
M
Department of Preventive Pediatrics and Neonatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. lanari@med.unibo.it
Papa
Irene
I
Venturi
Valentina
V
Lazzarotto
Tiziana
T
Faldella
Giacomo
G
Gabrielli
Liliana
L
Guerra
Brunella
B
Landini
Maria Paola
MP
Salvioli
Gian Paolo
GP
D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral