title: Acute bilateral uveitis associated with an active human herpesvirus-6 infection.
abstract: Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), which is usually responsible for exanthem subitum in children, can reactivate from its latent form after primary infection. It has been implicated in hepatitis, pneumonitis, retinitis and severe infections of the central nervous system in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. However, involvement of HHV-6 in these infections has not yet been clearly demonstrated. We report the case of a patient presenting a bilateral uveitis from whom HHV-6 was isolated in both aqueous fluid and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). No other pathogenic agents were found. Diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing of part of the genome revealed the presence of HHV-6 in both aqueous fluid and CSF. Serum IgM and IgG HHV-6 antibodies were significantly elevated in two successive examinations by immunofluorescence. Patient recovery following antiviral therapy suggested that a protocol based on foscarnet followed by ganciclovir was effective. HHV-6 may be responsible for uveo-meningitis. Diagnosis by PCR analysis is essential to identify HHV-6 and to initiate a specific antiviral therapy as fast as possible.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, Groupement Médico Chirurgical Bouffard, SP Armées, Djibouti. arthur4@tele2.fr
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maslin
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bigaillon
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Froussard
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Enouf
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicand
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000821:virology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D017245:Foscarnet / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D017245:Foscarnet