Human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis associated with hypersensitivity syndrome.

Abstract

Hypersensitivity syndrome, a serious systematic reaction to a limited number of drugs, is associated with the reactivation of human herpesvirus 6. A 56-year-old man developed acute limbic encephalitis followed by multiple organ failure during the course of toxic dermatitis induced by aromatic anticonvulsants. The clinical features of skin eruptions, high fever, eosinophilia, and atypical lymphocytosis were compatible with drug hypersensitivity syndrome. The patient showed seroconversion for human herpesvirus 6, and polymerase chain reaction detected human herpesvirus 6 DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis associated with hypersensitivity syndrome.

• Authors: Yasuhiro Fujino, Masashi Nakajima, Hirosato Inoue, Tomohiko Kusuhara, Tatsuo Yamada
• Journal: Annals of neurology (Ann Neurol) Vol. 51 Issue 6 Pg. 771-4 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 0364-5134 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12112085 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Antiporters
• DNA, Viral
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
• VCX1 protein, S cerevisiae
• Phenytoin
• Phenobarbital

Topics

• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects)
• Antiporters
• DNA, Viral (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Drug Hypersensitivity
• Encephalitis, Viral (etiology)
• Exanthema Subitum (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Herpesvirus 6, Human (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Limbic System (physiopathology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phenobarbital (adverse effects)
• Phenytoin (adverse effects)
• Roseolovirus Infections (physiopathology)
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins