Published in:
01-11-2020 | Human Herpesvirus 6 | Case Report
A case of human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: early diagnosis and treatment matters
Authors:
Atsushi Sakamoto, Masaki Yamada, Shin-ichi Tsujimoto, Tomoo Osumi, Katsuhiro Arai, Daisuke Tomizawa, Akira Ishiguro, Kimikazu Matsumoto, Ken-Ichi Imadome, Motohiro Kato
Published in:
International Journal of Hematology
|
Issue 5/2020
Login to get access
Abstract
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is one of the life-threatening infectious complications with significant morbidity and mortality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Clinically, the diagnosis of HHV-6 encephalitis can be challenging due to a lack of specific symptoms and definitive diagnostic tests. We report a pediatric HSCT recipient who developed late-onset HHV-6 encephalitis without typical radiographic findings. The routine viral infection monitoring protocol contributed to the prompt diagnosis of HHV-6 encephalitis and early therapeutic intervention. The patient was treated successfully without any neurological complications attributable to HHV-6 encephalitis. HHV-6 encephalitis should remain in the differential diagnosis as an important but treatable disease, even for several months after HSCT and even without radiographic findings. Whenever HHV-6 encephalitis is suspected, antivirals should be initiated promptly to prevent its complications.