First therapeutic use of Artesunate in treatment of human herpesvirus 6B myocarditis in a child.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is an important cause of fulminant or acute viral myocarditis. However, insufficiency of standard antiviral treatment against HHV-6 is an emerging problem.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the case of child with HHV-6 myocarditis who was treated by unloading with a left ventricular assist device and Artesunate.

STUDY DESIGN:

Case report supported by histological and viral diagnoses via a combination of histology/immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction techniques performed on cardiac tissues before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

Following therapeutic intervention, the clinical status and heart function improved. Endomyocardial biopsies revealed decreased levels of HHV-6B DNA in the myocardium and the disappearance of histological findings in support of lymphocytic myocarditis. Left ventricular assist device could be explanted. No adverse effects of Artesunate were noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

In addition to existing heart failure treatments, Artesunate can be considered as an effective candidate for clinical use in cases of HHV-6B associated myocarditis.

• Authors: Nina Hakacova, Karin Klingel, Reinhard Kandolf, Elin Engdahl, Anna Fogdell-Hahn, Thomas Higgins
• Journal: Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology (J Clin Virol) Vol. 57 Issue 2 Pg. 157-60 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1873-5967 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 23473961 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Artemisinins
• Artesunate

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Artemisinins (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Artesunate
• Heart-Assist Devices
• Herpesvirus 6, Human (drug effects, genetics)
• Humans
• Infant
• Myocarditis (drug therapy, virology)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Roseolovirus Infections (drug therapy, virology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Ventricular Dysfunction, Left (pathology, therapy)