Case report: primary infection by human herpesvirus 6 variant a with the onset of myelitis.
A case of primary infection by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) variant A in a 54-year-old woman, which occurred at the same time as the onset of encephalomyelitis, is reported. The correlation between the two events is discussed. It is speculated that, during the early phase of the infection, the HHV-6 spread to the central nervous system and triggered a pathogenic process that initially developed without symptoms. When the neurological disorders appeared, HHV-6 had already established a latent state: only the virus carried by infected blood cells was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Portolani
Marinella
M
Department of Diagnostic Services and Legal Medicine, University of Moderna and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. portolani.marinella@policlinico.mo.it
Pecorari
Monica
M
Gennari
William
W
Beretti
Francesca
F
Sabbatini
Anna Maria Teresa
AM
Casolari
Chiara
C
Rumpianesi
Fabio
F
Cermelli
Claudio
C
Sintini
Michele
M
Mori
Fernanda
F
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral