title: Acute human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7) encephalitis in an immunocompetent adult patient: a case report and review of literature.
abstract: We report a case of an acute HHV-7 encephalitis involving the nucleus of the VI cranial nerve in an immunocompetent host. The patient was an adult male admitted to our Clinic with headache, diplopia, fever, nausea, vertigo, asthenia and general malaise. PCR for viral and bacterial genomes was run on both serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) after performing lumbar puncture, resulting positive only for HHV-7 DNA on CSF. MRI showed hyperintensity in FLAIR signal in the dorsal pons, in the area of the VI cranial nerve nucleus. Empirical therapy with Acyclovir and Dexamethasone was started at the time of admission and was continued after the microbiology results. After three days of therapy diplopia, fever and other previous clinical manifestations improved and the patient recovered normal sight. Our case report contributes to a better understanding of the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of HHV-7 encephalitis in immunocompetent patients due to reactivation in adult age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy. nicoletta.riva@studio.unibo.it.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4951-0787
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Iacopo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Franconi
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meschiari
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Puzzolante
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuomo
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino Estense di Modena, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale di Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavalleri
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino Estense di Modena, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale di Modena, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurilio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genovese
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via largo del Pozzo 71, 41123, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mussini
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000212:Acyclovir
keywords: Diplopia; Encephalitis; HHV-7; Immunocompetent host