Human herpesvirus 7 viral encephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: report of three cases and review of literature / 白血病·淋巴瘤

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of patients with human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) viral encephalitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:The clinical manifestations, laboratory characteristics, diagnosis and treatment process and outcome of 3 patients with HHV-7 viral encephalitis after allo-HSCT in Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital from 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the related literature was reviewed.Results:The clinical features of 3 patients with HHV-7 viral encephalitis after allo-HSCT included fever, headache, vomiting, apathy, etc., without specific symptoms or signs. The conventional white blood cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid was normal or slightly higher, mainly lymphocytes, and the cerebrospinal fluid protein was normal or slightly higher. The HHV-7 virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid was positive, and the treatment with ganciclovir or foscarnet was effective. The prognosis was favorable in two mild cases, but one case with cerebral hemorrhage died eventually.Conclusions:HHV-7 viral encephalitis is a rare infection after allo-HSCT, and it can be easily misdiagnosed due to lack of typical symptoms and indications for routine laboratory tests. The detection of HHV-7 DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid can help confirm the diagnosis. Currently, there is no standard treatment programs, but ganciclovir and foscarnet are effective.