The Cases of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy Due to Human Herpes Virus-6 - PubMed
2 days ago
- #pediatric neurology
- #HHV-6
- #acute necrotizing encephalopathy
- Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) can cause severe neurologic complications like encephalitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- Two cases of previously healthy toddlers with HHV-6 encephalitis presented with fever, seizures, and altered mental status.
- Neuroimaging showed bilateral thalamic involvement consistent with acute necrotizing encephalopathy.
- HHV-6 DNA was confirmed in cerebrospinal fluid via polymerase chain reaction.
- Treatment included antiviral therapy (foscarnet) and immunomodulatory treatments (IVIG, corticosteroids, plasmapheresis, tocilizumab).
- Outcomes varied: one patient fully recovered, the other showed partial improvement.
- Early diagnosis via neuroimaging and CSF PCR is crucial.
- Combined antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies may improve outcomes by targeting viral replication and neuroinflammation.