title: Human herpesvirus 6-associated uveitis with optic neuritis diagnosed by multiplex PCR.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), which is usually responsible for exanthem subitum in children, can be reactivated from its latent state. We report a case of unilateral optic disc edema and retinal vasculitis associated with HHV-6 infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A healthy 63-year-old man noted a decrease in the vision of his left eye. On examination, his left eye had moderate mutton-fat keratic precipitates, vitreous opacities, significant optic disc edema surrounded by yellowish-white swelling in the inner retina, retinal arteritis, and cotton-wool-like exudates. He was started on corticosteroid therapy and aspirin. After 1 month, the disc edema was reduced, the cotton wool-like exudates had decreased, and his visual acuity had improved to 10/20 OS. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of an aqueous humor sample revealed the presence of genomic DNA of HHV-6 but not of the other HHVs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HHVs are known to infect the ocular tissues, but the differential diagnostic signs of HHV-6 are still not well known. We recommend that multiplex PCR of the aqueous humor be performed to search for the genomic DNA of HHV-6 in suspected cases of herpesviral infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan. ogata@takii.kmu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Nahoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogata
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Takii Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koike
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Takii Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tadanobu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000821:virology*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005077:Exanthema Subitum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D001241:Aspirin