Human herpes virus-6 as a cause of recurrent posterior uveitis in a HIV-positive patient

Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2013 Spring;7(2):131-3. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0b013e3182595705.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral recurrent posterior uveitis caused by human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive individual.

Methods: Comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including imaging with optical coherence tomography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and adequate laboratory tests were performed. A human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient without any AIDS defining condition, with a history of recurrent bilateral posterior uveitis referred to us with the diagnosis of retinal detachment.

Results: Vitreous polymerase chain reaction detected an aberrant band for herpes viruses, which proved to be human herpes virus-6 by repeated polymerase chain reactions. Serum antibodies titer was positive for human herpes virus-6. The patient responded well to antiviral therapy with valacyclovir.

Conclusion: This is the first case of human herpes virus-6-related bilateral posterior uveitis in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive individual without clinical manifestations of AIDS.