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. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Human herpesvirus-6B active infection associated with relapsing bilateral anterior optic neuritis / Moschettini, D; Franceschini, R; Vaccaro, Nm; Cermelli, Claudio; Pezzini, Francesco; Balestrieri, M; Cerase, A; Bartalini, S; Ulivelli, M; Tosi, Gm; Donati, D.. - In: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY. - ISSN 1386-6532. - STAMPA. - 37:4(2006), pp. 244-247. [10.1016/j.jcv.2006.08.018]

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

CERMELLI, Claudio;PEZZINI, Francesco;
2006

Abstract

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. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
2006
37
4
244
247
Human herpesvirus-6B active infection associated with relapsing bilateral anterior optic neuritis / Moschettini, D; Franceschini, R; Vaccaro, Nm; Cermelli, Claudio; Pezzini, Francesco; Balestrieri, M; Cerase, A; Bartalini, S; Ulivelli, M; Tosi, Gm; Donati, D.. - In: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY. - ISSN 1386-6532. - STAMPA. - 37:4(2006), pp. 244-247. [10.1016/j.jcv.2006.08.018]
Moschettini, D; Franceschini, R; Vaccaro, Nm; Cermelli, Claudio; Pezzini, Francesco; Balestrieri, M; Cerase, A; Bartalini, S; Ulivelli, M; Tosi, Gm; Donati, D.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/22748
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