Clinical features of primary human herpesvirus-6 infection in an infant with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 1993 Nov;15(4):424-6.

Abstract

Purpose: The primary infection with human herpesvirus-6 developed concurrently with diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and initiation of intensive chemotherapy for the disease in a 4-month-old girl.

Results: Prolonged viremia persisted for 7 days in the presence of neutralizing antibodies, and clinical features such as prolonged febrile and diarrheal period, no appearance of skin rash, and marked bulging fontanelle for 7 days in the absence of the virus DNA in spinal fluid may suggest an atypical clinical course of exanthem subitum and an unusual viral replication in immunocompromised condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections / complications*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human* / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Viremia / complications*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral