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Meningoencephalitis caused by human herpesvirus-6 in an immunocompetent adult patient: Case report and review of the literature

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Summary

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is the etiologic agent of roseola infantum, and has been implicated as a possible cause of encephalitis in pediatric and adult patients. A case of meningoencephalitis in an otherwise healthy, immunocompetent 59-year-old woman is described. The diagnosis of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis was confirmed by detecting viral DNA in cerebrospinal fluid collected in the acute stage of the disease by polymerase chain reaction. The patient was treated with acyclovir and recovered without any sequelae. The current knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical course and outcome of HHV-6 meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent adult patients is also reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Div. of Infectious Diseases, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Viale Borri 57, I-21100, Varese

    D. Torre M.D., F. Speranza M.D., R. Martegani M.D. & G. P. Fiori M.D.

  2. Laboratory of Biology, Fondazione Don Gnocchi, IRCCS, Via Capecelatro 60, I-20100, Milan, Italy

    P. Ferrante M.D., E. Omodeo-Zorini & R. Mancuso Ph.D. (Chair of Virology)

Authors
  1. D. Torre M.D.
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  2. F. Speranza M.D.
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  3. R. Martegani M.D.
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  4. P. Ferrante M.D.
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  5. E. Omodeo-Zorini
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  6. R. Mancuso Ph.D.
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  7. G. P. Fiori M.D.
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Torre, D., Speranza, F., Martegani, R. et al. Meningoencephalitis caused by human herpesvirus-6 in an immunocompetent adult patient: Case report and review of the literature. Infection 26, 402–404 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02770845

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02770845

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