Human herpesvirus 7-associated meningitis and optic neuritis in a patient after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

A 9-year-old boy who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation began to vomit from day 10 after transplantation. In addition to vomiting, the patient had a fever (from day 26) and severe headache (from day 34). His cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (day 41) demonstrated pleocytosis with an absence of leukemic cells. Although the patient's symptoms were resolved with further supportive care, abrupt onset of bilateral decreased vision occurred at day 54. He was diagnosed with bilateral optic neuritis, due to the presence of disc edema and redness. Concomitant with the occurrence of aseptic meningitis, the human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) antibody titer increased significantly in this patient. Although neither HHV-6 nor cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA was detected in CSF collected at day 41, HHV-7 DNA was detected in the sample. Viral DNA was not detected in CSF collected at day 93.