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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2010; 05(02): 207-209
DOI: 10.3233/JPI-2010-0240
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Fulminant hepatitis with HHV-6 in a childhood patient

Fatemeh Farahmand
a   Department of Gastroenterology, Children’s Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
,
Mozhgan Sabbaghian
a   Department of Gastroenterology, Children’s Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
,
Ghamar Taj Khotaie
b   Department of Infectious Disease, Children’s Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
,
Kambiz Eftekhari
a   Department of Gastroenterology, Children’s Medical Center Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

05 June 2009

06 October 2009

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Neonates and young infants with human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) may present with hepatitis, which is rarely fulminant. However, because HHV-6 is prevalent as a latent infection in humans, causality must be proven in patients with fulminant hepatitis. We describe a rare case of fulminant hepatitis induced by HHV-6 with concomitant central nervous system involvement and without any classic skin rash. An immunocompetent, breast-fed 14-month-old girl was admitted to our hospital because of gastrointestinal bleeding, fever, excessive sleepiness and inability to recognize parents, markedly elevated serum transaminase and severe coagulopathy. Cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction assay for viral agent was positive for HHV-6. Fortunately, the patient demonstrated a rapid improvement thereafter and did not require liver transplantation.

Keywords

Fulminant hepatitis - human herpes virus 6 - central nervous system