Evaluation of pediatric patients with Human Herpes Virus-6 and/or Human Herpes Virus-7 detected in cerebrospinal fluid: a single center experience

Abstract

Background: Human Herpes Virus-6, is a common cause of febrile seizures in infancy and has been associated with meningitis in this age group. Human Herpes Virus-7, may also cause meningitis in children. The role and frequency of HHV-6 and HHV-7 in children's central nervous system diseases is unclear and an area of ongoing research. In our study, we aimed to contribute to the literature about effects of Human Herpes Virus-6 and Human Herpes Virus-7 in central nervous system infections, in children.Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted between March 2021 and March 2022. The study included children diagnosed with central nervous system infection and those found to have Human Herpes Virus-6 and or Human Herpes Virus-7 in their cerebrospinal fluid by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: In our study, 86 children were hospitalized with the diagnoses of central nervous system infection. We detected Human Herpes Virus-6 and/or Human Herpes Virus-7 in cerebrospinal fluid in 12 (13.9%) children. When the patients were grouped according to their age, 75% were under the age of 2 years. Seizure was the presenting complaint in all patients with Human Herpes Virus-6 and 50% patients with Human Herpes Virus-7. Although the frequency of seizures was lower in the Human Herpes Virus-7, 75% of the seizures in this group were status epilepticus. Cerebral venous thrombosis was observed in 3 patients. All patients with thrombosis were found to be infected with Human Herpes Virus-7.Conclusion: Our study findings show that Human Herpes Virus-6 and Human Herpes Virus-7 may be associated with central nervous system infections and severe neurological diseases in childhood. Our study makes an important contribution to the literature in this respect and shows the need for multicenter prospective studies.