Severe encephalomyelitis in an immunocompetent adult with chromosomally integrated human herpesvirus 6 and clinical response to treatment with foscarnet plus ganciclovir

Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Dec 15;47(12):e93-6. doi: 10.1086/593315.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 has rarely been identified as a cause of encephalitis in immunocompetent adults. We describe a patient who had severe encephalomyelitis, hypoglycorrhachia, and human herpesvirus 6 identified in his cerebrospinal fluid and serum and who recovered after treatment with foscarnet and ganciclovir. Human herpesvirus 6 should be considered in immunocompetent patients with encephalitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / virology
  • Encephalomyelitis / drug therapy*
  • Encephalomyelitis / virology*
  • Foscarnet / therapeutic use*
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Proviruses / genetics
  • Proviruses / isolation & purification*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / drug therapy*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / virology*
  • Serum / virology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Foscarnet
  • Ganciclovir