Refractory Status Epilepticus Owing to Human Parvovirus B19 Encephalitis in a Child

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19 is the agent that causes erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), a disease that is generally benign and self-limiting. This virus also is associated with severe disease in hemolytic or immunocompromised patients. It rarely causes meningoencephalitis in healthy children. Herein we present the case of a 10-year-old healthy girl with refractory status epilepticus possibly owing to human parvovirus B19 encephalitis who was successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first report of human parvovirus B19 encephalitis complicated by refractory status epilepticus in a child. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:820—822; DOI 10.2310/ 7010.2006.00194).

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