Hand-foot-and-mouth… and brain! An unexpected complication

Key words: Coxsackievirus, Hand-foot-and-mouth disease, Encephalitis

This report describes the case of a six-year-old immunocompetent girl with hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) who developed acute encephalitis due to coxsackievirus infection. The patient presented with progressive altered consciousness, while cerebrospinal fluid analysis and MRI findings were consistent with inflammatory central nervous system involvement. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins led to full neurological recovery. Although HFMD is typically benign, rare severe neurological complications may occur, therefore its early recognition and prompt treatment are very important.