Herpesvirus infections and SARS-CoV-2-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: case series

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare condition developing 2 to 6 weeks after initial infection. Most of the patients require treatment in the intensive care unit. The disease manifests itself with fever and lesions to several organs and systems, primarily gastrointestinal tract, skin, mucous membranes, and cardiovascular system. Given the non-specific clinical manifestations of MIS-C, absence of reliable laboratory tests to detect it, and immunosuppressive therapy used in these patients, differential diagnosis of this condition is highly important. In this article, we provide the summary of literature on differential diagnosis between MIS-C and other pathological conditions and report cases of herpesvirus reactivation in patients with SARS-CoV-2. We provide a rationale for administering meglumine acridone acetate (Cycloferon) in patients with herpesvirus reactivation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe clinical and laboratory markers that can be used by clinicians for differential diagnosis between MIS-C and other viral infections, such as herpesvirus infections. Copyright © 2022, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.