Fatal Disseminated Herpes Simplex in a very premature neonate

Authors

  • Ranjit I Kylat University of Arizona, College of Medicine
  • Joel Addams University of Arizona, College of Medicine
  • Richard E Sobonya University of Arizona, College of Medicine

Keywords:

Pathology, Infant, Newborn, Premature birth, Herpes Simplex, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Neonatal Sepsis, Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies, InfantLow Birth Weight

Abstract

Herpes Simplex Virus infections (HSV) are ubiquitous. The neonatal HSV infection (NHSV) is rare. The incidence is estimated globally at only 10.3 per 100,000 births, but it can cause devastating disease in premature infants. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be the etiologic agents in this type of vertically transmittted NHSV infection. Here we describe the pathological findings from a complete autopsy of a very low birth weight infant who succumbed to the infection despite early institution of antiviral treatment. We urge more awareness of this disease with continued surveillance; every effort should be taken to make an early diagnosis and thus prevent this devastating disease.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2018-11-12

Issue

Section

Article / Autopsy Case Report

How to Cite

Fatal Disseminated Herpes Simplex in a very premature neonate. (2018). Autopsy and Case Reports, 8(4), e2018050. https://www.revistas.usp.br/autopsy/article/view/151746