Open AccessChoreoathetosis in the Setting of Human Herpesvirus-6 Infection in a Transplant Recipient
Author(s) -
Sarah Mancone,
Chindhuri Selvadurai,
Joachim M. Baehring,
Amar Patel
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tremor and other hyperkinetic movements
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-8288
DOI - 10.5334/tohm.657
Subject(s) - movement disorders , human herpesvirus 6 , chorea , medicine , encephalitis , choreiform movement , choreoathetosis , immunology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , pediatrics , dyskinesia , psychiatry , virus , pathology , herpesviridae , viral disease , dystonia , disease , parkinson's disease
Background: Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) has been associated with various neurologic disorders, but movement disorders are rare. This case describes a patient who developed a choreoathetotic movement disorder in the setting of HHV-6 infection. Case Report: A 72-year-old woman with AML and recent HHV-6 encephalitis following stem cell transplant presented with involuntary movements. Neurologic examination demonstrated motor impersistence and irregular non-stereotyped writhing movements consistent with a choreoathetotic movement disorder secondary to HHV-6 infection. Discussion: This is the first literature reported case of adult-onset chorea associated with HHV-6 infection, though it remains unclear if the movement disorder was from the infection or a secondary autoimmune response.