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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Neurology

Human herpesvirus 7-associated encephalitis diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in pediatric patients: a retrospective study

  • Dongling Yang1
  • Jinqiu Wang1
  • Xuelin Huang1
  • Yuyi Chen1
  • Qingqing Zhao1
  • Fengping Wei1
  • Yiyan Ruan1
  1. 1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Clinical Research Center for Pediatric Diseases
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Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of immunocompetent children with human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7)-associated encephalitis.

Methods: Sixteen children with HHV-7-associated encephalitis were diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing of their cerebrospinal fluid and followed up for 3 months.

Results: The median age of the cohort was 8.6 years (range, 1.4–11.8) and comprised of 8 males and 8 females. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (12/16, 75.0%), headache (10/16, 62.5%), and vomiting (8/16, 50.0%). Abnormal electroencephalography and encephalitis-related neuroimaging findings were obtained in 50.0% (6/12) and 25.0% (4/16) of the patients, respectively. 68.8% of the patients were treated with either acyclovir or ganciclovir. Unfavorable outcomes occurred in three patients, including the death of a 2-year-old child.

Conclusion: Pediatric HHV-7-associated encephalitis generally has a favorable prognosis, but severe cases do occur. Early recognition is important for increasing clinicians’ awareness of this condition.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yang2026human,
  title = {{Human herpesvirus 7-associated encephalitis diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in pediatric patients: a retrospective study}},
  author = {Dongling Yang and Jinqiu Wang and Xuelin Huang and Yuyi Chen and Qingqing Zhao and Fengping Wei and Yiyan Ruan},
  journal = {Frontiers in Neurology},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1959563},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1959563/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Human herpesvirus 7-associated encephalitis diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in pediatric patients: a retrospective study
AU  - Dongling Yang
AU  - Jinqiu Wang
AU  - Xuelin Huang
AU  - Yuyi Chen
AU  - Qingqing Zhao
AU  - Fengping Wei
AU  - Yiyan Ruan
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/05
JO  - Frontiers in Neurology
DO  - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1959563
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1959563/full
AB  - Background: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of immunocompetent children with human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7)-associated encephalitis.  Methods: Sixteen children with HHV-7-associated encephalitis were diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing of their cerebrospinal fluid and followed up for 3 months.  Results: The median age of the cohort was 8.6 years (range, 1.4–11.8) and comprised of 8 males and 8 females. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (12/16, 75.0%), headache (10/16, 62.5%), and vomiting (8/16, 50.0%). Abnormal electroencephalography and encephalitis-related neuroimaging findings were obtained in 50.0% (6/12) and 25.0% (4/16) of the patients, respectively. 68.8% of the patients were treated with either acyclovir or ganciclovir. Unfavorable outcomes occurred in three patients, including the death of a 2-year-old child.  Conclusion: Pediatric HHV-7-associated encephalitis generally has a favorable prognosis, but severe cases do occur. Early recognition is important for increasing clinicians’ awareness of this condition.
SN  - 1664-2295
ER  -