A report of human herpesvirus 6-associated encephalitis in a solid organ transplant recipient and a review of previously published cases.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a common pathogen among children, classically presenting as fever and rash that resolve without specific therapy (exanthem subitum or roseola infantum). Also identified as a pathogen in hematopoietic cell transplant and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, it has been recognized as a cause of limbic encephalitis, characterized by confusion and amnesia, with magnetic resonance imaging findings of T2 hyperintensity of the amygdala and hippocampus. We report a case of limbic encephalitis associated with HHV-6 infection in a liver transplant recipient, and we review previously reported cases of HHV-6 encephalitis in SOT recipients.

• Authors: Christopher Vinnard, Todd Barton, Elliot Jerud, Emily Blumberg
• Journal: Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society (Liver Transpl) Vol. 15 Issue 10 Pg. 1242-6 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1527-6473 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19790143 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 AASLD

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Encephalitis, Viral (complications, diagnosis, virology)
• Herpesvirus 6, Human (metabolism)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Liver Diseases (complications, therapy, virology)
• Liver Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Roseolovirus Infections (complications, diagnosis, virology)
• Treatment Outcome