Human Herpesvirus 7 encephalitis mainfests with epileptic seizures in an immunocompetent adult and review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Human Herpesvirus 7(HHV-7)is a widespread double-strand DNA virus in human population that belongs to β-herpesvirinae subfamily and it replicates in CD4 + T lymphocytes. The virus has the ability of lifelong latency and easy to reactivate in immunocompromised patients(1.2). Primary HHV-7 infection regularly occurs during childhood and may mainfests several clinical symptoms, mainly fever and exanthem subitum. Furthermore, HHV-7 Encephalitis is the severely type of the infection, epileptic seizures belongs to its clinical manifestation, however there exist uncertain aspects about infection route except the past history of the infectious agent in patients. In particular, as a lymphotropic virus, it has obvious tropism for the central nervous system(CNS), but its neuropathogenesis are underestimated(3), one the other hand, the case of encephalitis associated with human herpesvirus-7 infection in an immunocompetent patient has been rarely reported. Thus, we mainfest an immunocompetent 26-year-old woman with encephalitis that the infection reason is not clear and review current literature. With the treatment of acyclovir and ganciclovir. The clinical outcome in our patient was recovered.