Postinfectious myeloradiculoneuropathy with cranial nerve involvements associated with human herpesvirus 7 infection.

BACKGROUND

Infection with human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) generally results in a febrile illness with accompanying exanthema subitum.

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain and describe the role of HHV-7 in a case of acute myeloradiculoneuropathy.

PATIENT: A previously healthy young man with complaints of motor weakness, dysphasia, and nasal voice.

METHODS

Serological examinations were performed with the patient's serum. We also examined virus genome DNA in cerebrospinal fluid by regular and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, we checked the antiganglioside antibody level in the patient's serum samples by the immunoblot analysis.

RESULTS

Serological studies revealed significant change in titers of antibodies against cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and HHV-7, but only HHV-7 genome was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, with its disappearance after therapy. No antiganglioside antibody was detected in the patient's serum.

CONCLUSION

The unique clinical picture of the present patient might be closely related to the reactivation of HHV-7 in the nervous system.