[Epileptic encephalopathy associated with human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) encephalitis after the second cord blood transplantation in a patient with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 2014 Dec;55(12):2418-22. doi: 10.11406/rinketsu.55.2418.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

The incidence of HHV-6 encephalitis during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children is thought to be less than that in adults and risk factors, prognosis and complications are virtually unknown. Herein, we report a pediatric case developing epileptic encephalopathy following HHV-6 encephalitis after a second cord blood transplantation (CBT). A 7-year-old boy with relapsed B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia in second remission underwent CBT. However, he received a second CBT due to graft failure. On day 25 after the second CBT, he developed short-term memory defects and seizures. He was diagnosed with HHV-6 encephalitis because HHV-6 DNA was detected in his blood and cerebrospinal fluid and abnormal hippocampal signals were seen on cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After treatment with foscarnet, HHV-6 DNA levels and MRI findings improved; however, he developed epileptic encephalopathy five months after the onset of encephalitis. There are very few reports on pediatric epileptic encephalopathy associated with HHV-6 encephalitis after HSCT. Detailed studies are needed to analyze risk factors, prognosis, and complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Encephalitis, Viral / complications*
  • Epilepsy / virology*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / therapy*