Evidence of human herpesvirus 6 infection in 4 immunocompetent patients with encephalitis.

We describe 4 patients with encephalitis due to possible reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection who were enrolled in the California Encephalitis Project. All were immunocompetent and had HHV-6 loads determined in cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Tests for detection of HHV-6 should be considered for individuals with encephalitis.

Patients with suspected herpes simplex encephalitis: rethinking an initial negative polymerase chain reaction result.

A statewide encephalitis diagnostic project of the California State Department of Health Services found that herpes simplex virus 1 DNA may not be detectable by molecular methods early in the clinical course of herpes simplex encephalitis.