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Bilateral optic neuropathy and unilateral tonic pupil associated with acute human herpesvirus 6 infection: a case report

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Abstract

Background

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), a widespread virus and causative agent of exanthema subitum in children, has been associated with a number of neurologic disorders including cranial nerve palsies, seizures, encephalitis, meningitis, and multiple sclerosis.

Patient

A 31-year-old man presented with bilateral optic neuropathy, disc edema, and unilateral tonic pupil, which were found to be associated with acute HHV-6 infection. The patient had been suffering from juvenile diabetes for 5 years. One week after onset of intravenous antiviral therapy with foscarnet, disc edema subsided, and tonic pupil reaction was no longer detectable.

Conclusions

HHV-6 infection may play a role as a causative agent in patients with optic neuropathy and tonic pupil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology and University Eye Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Isabel M. Oberacher-Velten, Jost B. Jonas & Anselm Jünemann

  2. Department of Ophthalmology and University Eye Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68135, Mannheim, Germany

    Jost B. Jonas

  3. Department of Virology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schloßgarten 4, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Barbara Schmidt

Authors
  1. Isabel M. Oberacher-Velten
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  2. Jost B. Jonas
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  3. Anselm Jünemann
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  4. Barbara Schmidt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Isabel M. Oberacher-Velten.

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Oberacher-Velten, I.M., Jonas, J.B., Jünemann, A. et al. Bilateral optic neuropathy and unilateral tonic pupil associated with acute human herpesvirus 6 infection: a case report. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 243, 175–177 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0986-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-0986-8

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