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

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.