Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report

Abstract Background Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a neuroautoimmune syndrome typically presenting with seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction. Human herpesvirus-7 is often found with human herpesvirus-6 and infects leukocytes such as T-cells, monocytes–macroph...

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Main Authors: Viktorija Simonavičiutė, Rūta Praninskienė, Jurgita Grikinienė, Rūta Samaitienė-Aleknienė
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-06-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-03909-x
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author Viktorija Simonavičiutė
Rūta Praninskienė
Jurgita Grikinienė
Rūta Samaitienė-Aleknienė
author_facet Viktorija Simonavičiutė
Rūta Praninskienė
Jurgita Grikinienė
Rūta Samaitienė-Aleknienė
author_sort Viktorija Simonavičiutė
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a neuroautoimmune syndrome typically presenting with seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction. Human herpesvirus-7 is often found with human herpesvirus-6 and infects leukocytes such as T-cells, monocytes–macrophages, epithelial cells, and central nervous system cells. The pathogenicity of human herpesvirus-7 is unclear. Cases of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis with human herpesvirus-7 present in cerebrospinal fluid have been documented, but the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear. Case presentation An 11-year-old Caucasian boy was admitted to hospital after a generalized tonic–clonic seizure. Generalized tonic seizures repeated three more times during the day of hospitalization. Blood tests showed minor ongoing inflammation, while brain computed tomography yielded normal results. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense focal alterations in both temporal lobes, hippocampi, and at the base of the right frontal lobe. Positive anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies were found in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Positive novel coronavirus 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) immunoglobulin G antibodies were found in serum. Polymerase chain reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was negative. Furthermore, positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid was found in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with acyclovir, human immunoglobulin, and methylprednisolone. The seizures did not repeat, and no psychiatric symptoms were present. The patient made a full recovery. Conclusions We present a pediatric case of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis with atypical clinical presentation. The role of human herpesvirus-7 in neurological disorders remains unclear in immunocompetent patients.
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spelling doaj.art-349f9d03307e41a69589ccdfe6c28b732023-07-02T11:16:49ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472023-06-011711610.1186/s13256-023-03909-xAnti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case reportViktorija Simonavičiutė0Rūta Praninskienė1Jurgita Grikinienė2Rūta Samaitienė-Aleknienė3Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Vilnius UniversityAbstract Background Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a neuroautoimmune syndrome typically presenting with seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction. Human herpesvirus-7 is often found with human herpesvirus-6 and infects leukocytes such as T-cells, monocytes–macrophages, epithelial cells, and central nervous system cells. The pathogenicity of human herpesvirus-7 is unclear. Cases of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis with human herpesvirus-7 present in cerebrospinal fluid have been documented, but the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear. Case presentation An 11-year-old Caucasian boy was admitted to hospital after a generalized tonic–clonic seizure. Generalized tonic seizures repeated three more times during the day of hospitalization. Blood tests showed minor ongoing inflammation, while brain computed tomography yielded normal results. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense focal alterations in both temporal lobes, hippocampi, and at the base of the right frontal lobe. Positive anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies were found in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Positive novel coronavirus 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) immunoglobulin G antibodies were found in serum. Polymerase chain reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was negative. Furthermore, positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid was found in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with acyclovir, human immunoglobulin, and methylprednisolone. The seizures did not repeat, and no psychiatric symptoms were present. The patient made a full recovery. Conclusions We present a pediatric case of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis with atypical clinical presentation. The role of human herpesvirus-7 in neurological disorders remains unclear in immunocompetent patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-03909-xAnti-NMDAR encephalitisChildrenSeizuresHHV-7
spellingShingle Viktorija Simonavičiutė
Rūta Praninskienė
Jurgita Grikinienė
Rūta Samaitienė-Aleknienė
Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Anti-NMDAR encephalitis
Children
Seizures
HHV-7
title Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report
title_full Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report
title_fullStr Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report
title_short Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus-7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report
title_sort anti n methyl d aspartate receptor encephalitis and positive human herpesvirus 7 deoxyribonucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid a case report
topic Anti-NMDAR encephalitis
Children
Seizures
HHV-7
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-03909-x
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