Human herpesvirus 6-meningoencephalitis in an hiv patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy

• Published in: Acta neuropathologica Vol. 100; no. 3; pp. 337 - 341
• Main Authors: ITO, M, BAKER, J. V, MOCK, D. J, GOODMAN, A. D, BLUMBERG, B. M, SHRIER, D. A, POWERS, J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.09.2000; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Antigens; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - pathology; Brain - virology; Encephalitis; Genomes; Herpesviridae Infections - complications; Herpesviridae Infections - pathology; Herpesviridae Infections - physiopathology; Herpesvirus 6, Human - pathogenicity; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - pathology; HIV Infections - physiopathology; Human herpesvirus 6; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infectious diseases; Inflammation; Inflammation - pathology; Inflammation - physiopathology; Inflammation - virology; Lesions; Leukoencephalitis; Leukoencephalopathy; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal - complications; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal - pathology; Leukoencephalopathy, Progressive Multifocal - virology; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - pathology; Lymphocytes - virology; Male; Medical sciences; Meningitis; Meningoencephalitis; Meningoencephalitis - complications; Meningoencephalitis - pathology; Meningoencephalitis - virology; Microglia; Neuroglia - pathology; Neuroglia - virology; Plasma Cells - pathology; Plasma Cells - virology; Polymerase chain reaction; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Viral infections; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Immunopathology; Nervous system diseases; Herpesviridae; Central nervous system; Exploration; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Cerebral disorder; Inflammatory disease; Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy; Meningoencephalitis; Infection; Virus; Case study; Pathology; Herpesvirus hominis 6; Viral disease; Central nervous system disease; Brain (vertebrata); Slow virus
• ISSN: 0001-6322; 1432-0533
• DOI: 10.1007/s004010000198

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) has been reported as a rare cause of meningoencephalitis and leukoencephalitis. We present an HIV-infected patient with lesions of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), but also meningoencephalitis apparently due to HHV6. Immunohistochemistry for HHV6 antigens and in situ polymerase chain reaction for HHV6 genome showed many positive lymphocytes and microglia in the meningeal and cortical lesions. More importantly, dead and dying neurons were conspicuous; some were undergoing neuronophagia and some displayed evidence of HHV6 infection. A pathogenic role for this almost universal, and usually commensal, virus in inflammatory brain lesions and PML is briefly discussed.