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Human herpesvirus 6-associated uveitis with optic neuritis diagnosed by multiplex PCR

  • Clinical Investigation
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Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), which is usually responsible for exanthem subitum in children, can be reactivated from its latent state. We report a case of unilateral optic disc edema and retinal vasculitis associated with HHV-6 infection.

Case

A healthy 63-year-old man noted a decrease in the vision of his left eye. On examination, his left eye had moderate mutton-fat keratic precipitates, vitreous opacities, significant optic disc edema surrounded by yellowish-white swelling in the inner retina, retinal arteritis, and cotton-wool-like exudates. He was started on corticosteroid therapy and aspirin. After 1 month, the disc edema was reduced, the cotton wool-like exudates had decreased, and his visual acuity had improved to 10/20 OS. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of an aqueous humor sample revealed the presence of genomic DNA of HHV-6 but not of the other HHVs.

Conclusions

The HHVs are known to infect the ocular tissues, but the differential diagnostic signs of HHV-6 are still not well known. We recommend that multiplex PCR of the aqueous humor be performed to search for the genomic DNA of HHV-6 in suspected cases of herpesviral infection.

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Correspondence to Nahoko Ogata.

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Ogata, N., Koike, N., Yoshikawa, T. et al. Human herpesvirus 6-associated uveitis with optic neuritis diagnosed by multiplex PCR. Jpn J Ophthalmol 55, 502–505 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-011-0069-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-011-0069-4

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