Retinal Granuloma Associated with Primary HHV6 Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Purpose: To report a case of unilateral retinal granuloma in a girl with concomitant primary HHV6 infection. Case report: An otherwise healthy 15-year-old girl complained of progressive visual loss in her right eye (1.0 LogMar). The ocular features and medical history were consistent with the possibility of a viral infection. This diagnostic hypothesis was confirmed by the result of multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis performed on a serum sample, which revealed the presence of HHV6 DNA. Serological HHV6 tests for the detection of IgG and IgM against HHV6 showed elevated IgM levels, a result suggestive of primary HHV6 infection. Accordingly, at first, intravenous ganciclovir and, then, oral valganciclovir were given. After 8 weeks, the retinal granuloma healed and visual acuity progressively reached 0.0 LogMar. Conclusions: HHV6 primary infection may be associated with unilateral retinal granuloma in otherwise healthy patients. Antiviral drugs may be helpful in the treatment of this condition.