Professional paper
Influenza A (H1N1)-induced ischemic stroke in a child: case report and review of the literature
ANTONIO CHIARETTI
; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, Largo Gemelli, 1 - 00168 Roma, Italy
ROBERTA CALZEDDA
; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, Largo Gemelli, 1 - 00168 Roma, Italy
MANUELA CECCARELLI
; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, Largo Gemelli, 1 - 00168 Roma, Italy
FRANCESCA PRIOLO
; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, Largo Gemelli, 1 - 00168 Roma, Italy
PIERO VALENTINI
; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, Largo Gemelli, 1 - 00168 Roma, Italy
PIETRO FERRARA
; Department of Pediatrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy, Largo Gemelli, 1 - 00168 Roma, Italy
LUCA MASSIMI
; Pediatric Neurosurgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, A. Gemelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is an important cause of death and long term morbidity in children. Viral respiratory infections are emerging
as important risk factors responsible for ischemic stroke in this age group. The direct action of virus against cerebral vessels,
autoimmune reactivity, and increased production of cytokines are advocated as the main factors for causing ischemic stroke.
This study can be useful for clarifying some molecular aspects of H1N1 virus infection in children.
We report on the case of a H1N1-induced ischemic stroke in a Caucasian 2 year-old female. The cerebrospinal fluid samples
showed the positivity of polymerase chain reaction for influenza A (H1N1) infection, confirmed also by pharyngeal swab
culture. Increased levels of cerebrospinal fluid interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β were also detected.
H1N1 virus infection has been identified as an important cause of neurological involvement in children. The findings of
increased levels of Interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β in the cerebrospinal fluid of this child with H1N1 induced-ischemic stroke
seems to validate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines as crucial mediators of cerebral thrombus formation.
Keywords
children; H1N1 influenza virus; interleukins; ischemic stroke
Hrčak ID:
134230
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2014.
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