Postinfectious myeloradiculoneuropathy with cranial nerve involvements associated with human herpesvirus 7 infection

Background: Infection with human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) generally results in a febrile illness with accompanying exanthema subitum. Objectives: To ascertain and describe the role of HHV-7 in a case of acute myeloradiculoneuropathy. Patient: A previously healthy young man with complaints of motor weakness, dysphasia, and nasal voice. Methods: Serological examinations were performed with the patient's serum. We also examined virus genome DNA in cerebrospinal fluid by regular and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, we checked the antiganglioside antibody level in the patient's serum samples by the immunoblot analysis. Results: Serological studies revealed significant change in titers of antibodies against cytornegalovirus, EpsteinBarr virus, and HHV-7, but only HHV-7 genome was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, with its disappearance after therapy. No antiganglioside antibody was detected in the patient's serum. Conclusion: The unique clinical picture of the present patient might be closely related to the reactivation of HHV-7 in the nervous system.