Neuroinvasion by human herpesvirus type 7 in a case of exanthem subitum with severe neurologic manifestations

Neurology. 1999 Mar 23;52(5):1077-9. doi: 10.1212/wnl.52.5.1077.

Abstract

A 19-month-old girl presented with severe neurologic symptoms associated with exanthem subitum. Human herpesvirus type 7 (HHV-7) DNA was detected in the CSF and serum, and supported by serologic studies. The patient was diagnosed with encephalopathy due to an acute HHV-7 infection. Neuron-specific enolase in the CSF was strongly elevated during the acute stage of infection, suggesting that the encephalopathy was due to viral invasion of the brain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Brain Diseases / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / complications
  • Herpesvirus 7, Human*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase