Autoimmune neutropenia of infancy with multiple brain abscesses during the course of human herpesvirus-6 infection

Int J Hematol. 2006 Aug;84(2):151-3. doi: 10.1532/IJH97.06064.

Abstract

Autoimmune neutropenia of infancy is characterized by recurrent infections such as pneumonia, otitis media, impetigo, purulent skin regions, gastritis, and upper respiratory infection. However, severe bacterial infection is uncommon. This report documents a 9-month-old boy presenting with autoimmune neutropenia in association with multiple brain abscesses during the course of human herpesvirus (HHV)-6 infection. HHV-6 has a tendency of neurovirulence, which can destroy the blood-brain barrier and facilitate the easy invasion of agents inside the brain. Although autoimmune neutropenia of infancy is benign and self limiting, it must be emphasized that severe bacterial infection will be induced by concurrent viral infection in this specific disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / blood
  • Autoimmune Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Brain Abscess / blood
  • Brain Abscess / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Brain Abscess / drug therapy
  • Brain Abscess / etiology*
  • Herpesvirus 6, Human*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neutropenia / blood
  • Neutropenia / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Neutropenia / drug therapy
  • Neutropenia / etiology*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / blood
  • Roseolovirus Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Roseolovirus Infections / complications*
  • Roseolovirus Infections / drug therapy