01-12-2017 | Case Report
Successful treatment and FDG-PET/CT monitoring of HHV-6 encephalitis in a non-neutropenic patient: case report and literature review
Published in: Journal of NeuroVirology | Issue 6/2017
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Human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 reactivation is associated with severe forms of encephalitis among patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Cases in non-neutropenic patients are uncommon. The efficacy of ganciclovir and other compounds that are used for the treatment of HHV-6 encephalitis remains suboptimal and linked to toxicity. Valganciclovir, the oral prodrug of ganciclovir, could be practical to treat outpatients, but it is not commonly used for severe cases. We report a case of HHV-6 encephalitis in a non-neutropenic patient successfully treated with valganciclovir and undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring in plasma and in the cerebrospinal fluid. Resolution of infectious foci was documented by cerebral MRI and F18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). A review of the literature on HHV-6 encephalitis is also reported.