Retinitis linked to human herpesvirus type 6: a case study in a splenectomised patient

TL;DR

A splenectomized patient developed retinitis linked to HHV-6 infection, and timely treatment preserved their vision.

Contribution

This case study highlights HHV-6 as a rare cause of retinitis and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Findings

HHV-6 was detected in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in a patient with retinitis.

Treatment with ganciclovir and valganciclovir preserved the patient's visual acuity.

Early diagnosis of HHV-6-related retinitis is crucial for effective management.

Abstract

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a member of the HHV family and is a rare cause of infectious uveitis. We report a case of a splenectomised patient, hospitalised due to invasive pneumococcal disease, who was diagnosed with retinitis in the right eye, with good visual acuity (0.1 LogMAR). Given the presence of HHV-6 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the cerebrospinal fluid and the serum and the coexistence of a severe central nervous system infection, the ophthalmological features were attributed to the HHV-6 infection. He was treated with topical corticosteroid eyedrops, cyclopentolate, and prednisolone acetate ointment and systemically with intravenous ganciclovir 5 mg/kg bid for 14 days and then oral valganciclovir 900 mg bid for 4 weeks. The diagnosis was promptly presumed, enabling the early initiation of appropriate treatment and contributing to the preservation of the good visual acuity initially observed.

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