Parvovirus B19 encephalitis in adults: a case report from Vietnam.
| Title: | Parvovirus B19 encephalitis in adults: a case report from Vietnam. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Duc ND; Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. Dangducnguyen79@gmail.com.; Hong Anh LN; Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.; Hong Khanh LN; Vinh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Nghe An, Vietnam.; Bach ND; Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam. |
| Source: | Virology journal [Virol J] 2026 Jan 10; Vol. 23 (1), pp. 35. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jan 10. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Case Reports |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101231645 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1743-422X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1743422X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Virol J Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central, 2004- |
| MeSH Terms: | Parvovirus B19, Human*/isolation & purification ; Parvovirus B19, Human*/genetics ; Parvoviridae Infections*/diagnosis ; Parvoviridae Infections*/virology ; Parvoviridae Infections*/pathology ; Parvoviridae Infections*/drug therapy ; Encephalitis, Viral*/diagnosis ; Encephalitis, Viral*/virology ; Encephalitis, Viral*/pathology ; Encephalitis, Viral*/drug therapy; Brain/diagnostic imaging ; Brain/pathology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Cerebrospinal Fluid/virology ; Humans ; Male ; Vietnam ; Middle Aged ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Electroencephalography ; Treatment Outcome |
| Abstract: | Parvovirus B19 is a non-enveloped DNA virus of the Parvoviridae family, which usually causes erythema infectiosum in children. Although rare in adults, this virus can cause severe complications, including encephalitis. We report a case of a 50-year-old male patient, previously healthy, who was admitted to the hospital with high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and rapidly progressing to impaired consciousness. The patient was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. A lumbar puncture was performed, which showed mild leukocytosis with normal protein and glucose levels, and negative cultures. Tests to exclude common causes of encephalitis such as HSV, Influenza, Dengue, and HIV were all negative. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed corpus callosum lesions, while electroencephalography showed diffuse theta slow waves. Multiplex Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cerebrospinal fluid confirmed the diagnosis of Parvovirus B19 infection. The patient was treated empirically with empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics (meropenem and vancomycin) and supportive intensive care. After seven days, the patient made a complete recovery without neurological sequelae and was discharged in a stable condition. This report emphasizes that Parvovirus B19, although generally considered a benign agent in children, can cause encephalitis in healthy adults and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis of unknown etiology.; (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. This case report does not require ethics committee approval according to institutional policy. Written informed consent for participation was obtained from the patient. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
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| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Adult; Clinical case; Encephalitis; Parvovirus B19; Vietnam |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Anti-Bacterial Agents) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260109 Date Completed: 20260207 Latest Revision: 20260209 |
| Update Code: | 20260209 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12882328 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12985-025-03048-3 |
| PMID: | 41514263 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Case Reports