Human herpesvirus-6B active infection associated with relapsing bilateral anterior optic neuritis.

Autor: Moschettini D; Department of Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Virology Section, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Tower 5, Level 2, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy., Franceschini R, Vaccaro NM, Cermelli C, Pezzini F, Balestrieri M, Cerase A, Bartalini S, Ulivelli M, Tosi GM, Donati D
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology [J Clin Virol] 2006 Dec; Vol. 37 (4), pp. 244-7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Sep 26.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2006.08.018
Abstrakt: Background and Objectives: Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is the causative agent of exanthem subitum. Both HHV-6 variants, A and B, have been associated with central nervous system (CNS) diseases, suggesting a wide neuropathogenic potential. We describe a case of recurrent bilateral anterior optic neuritis with HHV-6 active infection associated with clinical relapses.
Case Report: A 23-year old woman presented with progressive visual impairment, bilateral papillitis and painful ocular movements. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for DNA viruses, HHV-6 variant specific real time quantitative PCR, serological analysis and retrotranscription PCR (RT-PCR) for HHV-6 mRNA transcripts were performed. Nested PCR in PBMC and CSF samples was negative for all viruses but positive for HHV-6 DNA, subtyped as HHV-6B. The disease had a relapsing/remitting course. During relapses PBMC samples remained positive for HHV-6 DNA, and HHV-6 active infection was confirmed by the presence of anti-HHV-6 IgM and of HHV-6 U27 mRNA transcript. High viremia levels and relapses were overlapping. After the last relapse, the patient was successfully treated with gancyclovir.
Conclusions: The case reported here suggests a possible association of HHV-6 in bilateral optic neuritis. HHV-6 could be monitored when bilateral optic neuritis is identified, in order to establish an appropriate antiviral therapy.
Databáze: MEDLINE