Fatal Myocarditis Associated With HHV-6 Following Immunosuppression in Two Children

Heather E Stefanski, Kathryn A Thibert, Joshua Pritchett, Bhupesh K Prusty, John E Wagner, Troy C Lund (Corresponding Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fatal myocarditis is a rare complication in immunosuppressed children. Recent reports have linked human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection, typically a benign infection in childhood, with myocarditis. HHV-6 can reactivate during periods of immunosuppression. Here, we report 2 cases in which children were immunosuppressed, one for treatment of Evans syndrome and the other post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, who developed rapid and fatal HHV-6-associated myocarditis. These cases suggest that HHV-6 infection should be considered as an etiology of myocarditis in immunosuppressed patients regardless of correlating blood levels. Early treatment of HHV-6 in patients with myocarditis could improve morbidity and mortality.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere20151352
JournalPediatrics
Volume137
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords*

  • Adolescent
  • Child, Preschool
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Herpesviridae Infections/complications
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Myocarditis/complications

Field of Science*

  • 3.2 Clinical medicine
  • 3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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